On the surface, Joe Girardi is not panicking. The Yankees’ manager would just like to win a game or two and finally clinch that playoff berth.
Though some of his managerial moves, especially with the bullpen, have not been perceived that way during a four-game losing streak, he picked up the urgency and started Phil Hughes for last night’s late game against the Red Sox. Hughes was originally supposed to receive extra rest before the postseason.
“We need to win games,” Girardi said. “We’re still trying to win our division, we’re still trying to get into the playoffs.”
When that happens, which could be as soon as tomorrow if the Yanks win two straight, then they can worry about things like Hughes’ innings limit, which was the original purpose for skipping him.
The Yankees have not won since Hughes beat the Rays last week. They were outscored 34-16 entering the finale with Boston, and most of the problems stemmed from starting pitching. Looking to avoid another disaster, the Yankees canceled Dustin Moseley’s start last night.
“I understand,” Moseley said. “I’m a realist and I know what’s going on.”
