New York Yankees Need To Make a Change: Time For Rasner To Go

New York Yankees starting pitcher Darrell Rasner was brilliant in his first few games after being called up. He almost let Yankee fans forget about the terrible start for Phil Hughes. He won all of his first three starts, holding a 1.89 ERA in them.

He has been on a downward spiral since then. He has posted only one Game Score over 50 since June 18th. (Game Score is a stat created by Bill James. An average start should be right around 50.) He has also only had one win since then. Even worse, he has made it through the sixth inning once since June 6th.

Every time he starts I always find my myself thinking we are going to need to score six runs to win, which not even Sidney Ponson makes me feel.

Of course, finding someone to replace Rasner in the rotation is the hard part.

Dan Giese would be the first guy I would give an opportunity to. He has been outstanding in limited time so far, even holding the Angels to three scoreless innings today when they scored at will against Rasner and Edwar Ramirez.

Giese's two starts this year have been polar opposites, allowing no earned runs in 6 2/3 against Cincinnati while giving up 6 runs in 4 innings against the Mets. Since his two starts, he has a 1.23 ERA in eight appearances, albeit usually when the game has already been decided. 

He can hold the fort down until someone more capable comes along. Cue the return of Phil Hughes. He has begun his rehab starts and could be on the mound for the Yanks later this month.

If Hughes comes back later than expected, Ian Kennedy is another option to turn to. Kennedy has pitched well in AAA with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP since the beginning of July. 

Either way, the Yankees need to take Rasner out for the time being. He can either be the long man in the pen if they go with Giese or he can be sent back down to AAA to just give him some time to clear his head until they call him back up in September.