Growing Pains

Phil Hughes' last two starts are a big part of the reason we felt the Yankees would max out at 93 wins this year and not make the playoffs. For the second straight start, Hughes made an early exit. He struggled with his control against the Red Sox and left pitches up in the zone.

Relying on two inexperienced starters in Hughes and Ian Kennedy can be tough on a team expected to contend for titles. You have to expect the two, and yes even Joba Chamberlain out of the pen, to experience growing pains. We're sure there will be some Yankees fans who want Hughes sent back to the minors, but these last two starts are all part of the process.

He's pitched poorly, but in all fairness to Hughes, the weather has been miserable in those two starts. But these outings are also the reason that Brian Cashman will continue to look for an experienced starter to add to the rotation.