State of the Yankees (April)

Pitching- Going into the season, there were three major questions about the pitching staff:

1. Is Wang good enough to be the ace?
2. Can Kennedy and Hughes take the next step and become major league pitchers?
3. Can Mussina and Pettitte stay healthy and be the pitchers they used to be?
   

So far Wang has proven he can be an ace, but the other 2 questions still remain. Kennedy and Hughes have been horrible, and have not been close to the pitchers the Yankees needed. Pettitte has been fine and just like he used to be, and after these last two starts Mussina could be the guy the Yankees hoped they resigned. In order for the Yankees to make the playoffs, they need Hughes and Kennedy to step it up. For them to win in the playoffs, they either need to make a trade, or hope everything goes right.

Hitting- With one of the best lineups in baseball, going into the season, it was hard to imagine that anyone could be worried about the Yankee hitting. But with Posada on the disabled list, and A-rod putting up non-A-rod- numbers, there is reason to worry. Giambi and Cano are both hitting under .200 and Jeter hasn't hit a home run.  However, Abreu is playing much better than last year, and Melki is hitting like a superstar, and Matsui is like he was in Japan. If everybody can start playing well at the same time, then there will be no reason to fear.

Even with these questions, the Yankees are playing better in this April than they have in past ones. I don't think there is any reason to worry as the first month of the season comes to a close. The Bronx Bombers are right in the thick of the division race, and will continue to be right there through the whole season.