Exit Sandman

Say your prayers little one

Dont forget, my son

To include everyone

Tuck you in, warm within

Keep you free from sin

Till the sandman he comes

Mariano Rivera might need to go shopping for a new Metallica theme song if his awful start to the 2007 season continues for much longer. No music accompanies your jaunt from the bullpen when you enter the 9th inning trailing by 3 runs though. Last night was just the latest of a string of bad outings for the once great closer who has blown his only two chances for saves this season and wakes up today with an ERA over 12. Last weekend when he imploded against the Sox it seemed to be a situation where his famous cutter just wasn't cutting but last night was about lack of control. The cutter was cutting but he was leaving it out over the plate or just simply missing the strike zone. Torre was forced to wake up from his nap and remove him with the bases loaded and only a single out recorded. The fact that Joe then summoned his lefty specialist (Michael Myers) who can't seem to get out any lefties (see Big Papi, Carl Crawford) only serves to highlight how big of a problem the Bronx Bombers have if Mo has lost it.

The Yank's pitching will get better only because it really can't get any worse. Wang is their best pitcher and I expect him to be solid and while Pettitte wasn't good last night he has pitched well this season. Mussina will help once he is healthy and I'm sure Cashman will make a serious run at Roger with a huge check in hand...and we all know how much Roger values money. However, they have no backup plan if Rivera has lost his magic. The Yankees can win games by outslugging opponents but to close out games they need the Mariano Rivera of old instead of the old Mariano Rivera we have seen this season.

Perhaps it finally is Exit Sandman time for Rivera. A much more fitting Metallica song for him now would be Fade to Black:

No one but me can save myself, but its too late

Now I cant think, think why I should even try

Yesterday seems as though it never existed

Death greets me warm, now I will just say good-bye