Kei Igawa is making his 2008 debut tonight, and I'm not as nervous about it as I thought I might be. He's been doing well enough down in AAA, and the Tigers aren't exactly hitting like gangbusters right now; the Yanks, on the other hand, ARE starting to heat up at the plate, so there's a good chance they'll be able to offer the poor sap some run support. Here's what he's done so far in Scranton this year:

Games started: 7
Innings Pitched: 39.2
Record: 3-3
Hits Allowed: 33
Strikeouts: 40
Walks: 12
ERA: 3.86
Whip: 1.13

Yes, it's only AAA, but the numbers are still positive. The strikeout to walk ratio in particular is a promising factor. Also, he has worked with Moeller before down in AAA, so hopefully that will help him out, too. Can he hack it back in the big leagues, though? We shall see in just a couple short hours...

Here's who will be backing him up:
Melk Man - CF
Jeter Jeter Pumpkin Eater - SS
Bobby "I'm Afraid to Go After Balls Near the Wall" Abreu - RF
Matso Ball Soup - LF
Spirit Coordinator - 1B
Giambino - DH
Better Mint - 3B
Slumpy McSlumperson (if he does well tonight I'll consider changing the name) 2B
Chad "Who?" Moeller - C

With Cano and Giambi starting to break out of their slumps and Matso Ball on a super hot streak, I have high hopes for this game.

Also, the Tigers suck.

PLAY BALL!