Change Mussina to 11-10. I assumed he'd get the win here. I can't think of any statistical reason to use Mussina ahead of Hughes and I hate the argument that you have to go with old (i.e., experienced) guy. I think old guys choke under pressure just as much as younger guys do. We just attribute it to nerves when it's the young guy and to an "off day" when it's the experienced guy.

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 09-28-2007 10:30 PM]

Messina got his mojo back? if so you give him the nod with a short leash.

Does anyone think that Hughes will eventually regain the missing velocity? Next year hopefully? Supposed to throw in the mid 90s consistently but I haven't seen it. And to be honest, I don't remember seeing it early on in spring training either, even before the injuries. He's 90-92 occasionally hitting 93, then later in the game he appears to tire a little where the fastball usually settles into the 88-90 range. Not that that's terrible, it's not, it's just not as hard as I thought he threw. Remember, Mussina used to be able to hit 93 mph with the three-quarter fastball when he need a punchout - now he can't anymore and you see the difference.

Not to make a huge deal about it, but I'm concerned. Without the added velocity, Hughes looks like a middle of the rotation guy to me (albeit a pretty good one), not ace or the "best pitching prospect in baseball" he's been made out to be.

So has anyone heard anything about why he lost a few ticks on the heater and if and when he's expected to regain it?

Hughes should be the 3 starter.