Mike suggested this topic, which is particularly interesting: When the three veterans start (Mussina, Clemens and Pettitte), the Yankees are only 24-29. Even taking out the terrible Moose, the team is but 16-19.
However, with the younger starters (including Wang), the team is 36-21. Sure, there's been some good starts, but there's also been a tremendous amount of emergency starters (and Kei Igawa). Take away Wang, and yet it's still 22-15.
Why?
Beyond coincidence, one answer may be in quality of opponent. Andy Pettitte has started 12 games against teams with records below .500, 11 against teams .500 or better. The team, however, is only 6 and 6 against the poorer teams. For Clemens, he's started seven of 11 times against poor teams. Mussina has started 12 of 18 times against losing teams.
So that's not the answer. Maybe the other starters are facing the AL Central more often, where the Yanks are 19-7 (and on their way to 20-7 today). Pettitte, Clemens and Mussina have started 10 times against the Central, with a team record of 6-4.
Take out the AL Central, and the Yanks are 18-25 in the Old Guys' starts. They are 23-18 with everyone else starting, including Wang. Take out Wang, and team is 18-18 with the Young and Inexperienced starting against non-AL Central opponents. For the record, the team is 9-6 when Wang starts against anyone outside the AL Central.
So, it's the AL Central that's buoying the Yankees and all their starters, although the team is still significantly worse with the Old Men starting, although part of that is absorbing the 0-6 the three pulled against the Mets, Rockies and Giants in that ill-fated interleague trip.
A big part, too, is Chien-Ming Wang in all his starts; he's covering for everyone.
While the team has a full slate against Detroit upcoming, their 2007 is going to be determined against teams whom they have yet to beat consistently. And it's going to be absolutely necessary for Clemens and Mussina to be better than they have been, and consistently.
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