Get Your Phil Today--It Might Be Your Last Chance!

Man, that CC Sabathia can throw a baseball, can't he? Sure do hope that guy doesn't have, like, an opt-out clause in his contract after this season. (Seriously, CC's probably not going anywhere.)

Today is about Phil Hughes. And once again, he might be pitching to save (or lose) his job.

When you're facing a team that's lost 17 games in a row, there are certain expectations. Most notably, that they'll lose 18 games in a row, especially when playing a postseason-worthy team like the Yankees. But that equation is complicated by two factors: 1. Phil Hughes is pitching today, and he has not been sharp in a long, long time; 2. He's pitching against Felix Hernandez (whom I'm NOT going to call "King Felix" because that's a stupid nickname).

Hernandez, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner (let's see him beat CC THIS year!), is always a threat to be dominating. But consider that in the 17 games the Mariners have lost in a row, he had to pitch at least three times, and lost, perhaps he's not as scary as usual.

But Hughes is a real question mark--you honestly don't know what you're going to get, or more importantly, why. And with Ivan Nova reportedly coming back on Saturday to pitch one game of the doubleheader (assuming his ankle permits it), you have to wonder who's auditioning here.

I don't have a lot of confidence in Hughes these days; it's just been too long since I've seen him be very good. Nova was getting better when he was sent down. By the end of this week, we should have a clearer view of who's doing what. Unless there's a big trade (which I don't think there will be). Stay tuned.