For a team that most people were ready to write off before the season started, the Yankees had a strong third week of the season. The teams record for the week was a respectable 4-2, winning two of three games against both the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Toronto Blue Jays. The player of the week for the third week of the season is the great, Mariano Rivera. Digging deep into my mid-90’s SportsCenter database, Mariano Rivera is as cool as the other side of the pillow. Honestly, this is nothing new. Mo shut down the Diamondbacks twice, and the Blue Jays once to notch his 3rd, 4th, and 5th saves of the season. Mariano, with his usual lights-out stuff, threw 3 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, with 3 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.33. In a week where the bullpen had it’s good days, and it’s BAD days, Rivera showed his poise in each of his outings.
With his 3 saves this week, upping his total to 4 on the season, increases his all-time record to 613 saves. Being that 2013 is his final season in pinstripes, we should expect to see Mariano pitch more than in his usual save opportunities. Expect to see him pitch in the Yankees final game played in stadiums across the country, save opportunity or not. Be sure to take in each and every pitch he throws as we will most likely NEVER see another pitcher like him in our lifetime.
Honorable Mention:
- Hiroki Kuroda (1.23 ERA; 0.55 WHIP; 7.1 IP; 3 H; 7 K)
- Robinson Cano (.346 BA; 2 HR; 5 RBI; 1.068 OPS)
- Phil Hughes (2.57 ERA; 0.86 WHIP; 7.0 IP; 6 H; 6 K)
- C.C. Sabathia (3.38 ERA; 0.88 WHIP; 8 IP; 6 H; 6 K)
- Travis Hafner (.357 BA; 2 HR; 3 RBI; 1.438 OPS)
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