Joba officially the eighth-inning guy

Yanks skipper Joe Girardi made the announcement today that Joba Chamberlain will be the set-up man for Mariano Rivera.

It must’ve been Joba’s stellar performance in Tuesday’s win, getting out of Boone Logan’s bases-loaded jam, that solidified his hold on the eighth-inning spot. Or maybe it was the fact that he has pitched in seven of the Yanks’ 13 games this season, and pitched well for the most part. Whatever the reason, I’m glad he’s in there and the Yanks have a reliable set-up guy and a (potential) future replacement for when Mo hangs up the spikes.

Joba on Tuesday’s performance:

"You got no room for error; there’s no free base, no nothing. To have that confidence in me to put me in that position is a good feeling for me."

More Joba:

"Knowing that I had to go out there and prove myself in that role, I had no time to be disappointing…I think it’s good [to have specific bullpen roles], there’s no defined role besides Mo, so I think it’s good for the mental fact to get your routine ready. It helps you mentally."

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Did I mention how much I hate West Coast road trips? Anyway, here is tonight’s lineup against the A’s. Swish Dog isn’t in there, as you can see:

Jeet SS
Nick The Stick DH
Tex 1B
A-Rod 3B
Robbie Cano 2B
Georgie C
Grandy CF
Randy Winn
Brett Gardner LF

Phil Hughes will be on the bump going against Ben Sheets.

Girardi on Phil:

"I liked his last start, Phil is not trying to do anything more than his last start. I’m encouraged with what he’s done so far."

Girardi on Sheets:

"He’s basically fastball, curveball. At times he pitches up in the zone…outstanding curveball. He’s been a tough pitcher for a long time. He’s got a few more walks than I think is normal…his velocity is back (after TJ surgery), his curveball is very good."

On the Yanks’ patience at the plate:

"Our guys are going to make you work. They got pride in making guys work…Robbie Cano saw 31 pitches last night. That’s not something you probably would have said two or three years ago…It’s great to see, he had tough at-bats and grinded them out."

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The Yanks signed 23-year-old lefty Josh Romanski, who was recently released by the Brew Crew. Usually anytime you sign a young lefty it’s a good thing, but he’s coming off Tommy John surgery. Then again, Mo also had TJS when he was young and he turned out OK. So this could be the beginning of something beautiful.

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