This was not exactly how Brian Cashman imagined things would start when he signed CC Sabbathia to his $161million dollar deal this off-season, nor did pratically anyone else, but as in life, things don't always work out as planned in baseball (at least so far). Indeed, resembling nothing like the guy that single-handedly carried the Milaukee Brewers to the playoffs for the first time since 1982, CC looked fucking terrible yesterday, walking five and striking out none, yes that's right nobody on the freaking Baltimore Orioles. That said, its April, the first game of April, and CC's been down this road before.
It can be easy to forget, but around this time last year the talking heads of sports media were already writing off this hefty lefty following his Cy Young season the year before. They clamored that his innings including the playoffs would prove to be his downfall the next year and his weight was going to get the best of him. Indeed, early on it seemed that might be a strong possibility, after four starts accumliating a putrid 13.50 ERA and striking out less than 3 per nine innings in that time. But subsequent that horrible start he went on a ridiclous tear for the rest of the year, in Cleveland and even greater in Milaukee posting an insane 2.70ERA and a ridiclous 162ERA+. So after one pretty awful start, I can't say I'm terribly worried quite yet.
Aside from CC, I thought the team looked pretty decent, all things considered, Posada looked comfortable behind the plate and at it, absolutely crushing a Guthrie fastball into centerfield, Cano showed some semblence of patience walking twice, Gardner looked at least passable with a bat in his hands, and the bench looked strong, with the big bat of Nick Swisher and the speed and defensive acumen of the young Ramiro Pena.
It was a horrible way to start the season and at times they were horrible, perticularly with runners on base and the bullpen while looking good at times ultimately made it a laugher for Baltimore. Tommorrow's another day, so who knows, its far too early to say anything of substance yet about them.
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