The early results are surprisingly tasty

Joba'sstrict innings limit, known as the "Joba Rules," stemmed from surgery he had coming into the league and has severely limited his development as a starter.Coming into the 2009 season, the Yankees had high hopes for their two young, promising pitchers. However, things went differently than planned.Hughes began the season in AAA but was called up shortly after Chien-Ming Wang's injury. Hughes pitched well but was eventually sent to the bullpen as the setup man after Wang returned in early June.Hughes had great success in the pen, finishing the year with eight wins and a 3.03 ERA. This success did not continue into the postseason, where Hughes struggled mightily setting up Mariano Rivera.Joba was placed in the starting rotation to start the season for the first time in his career.

Although he still had an innings limit, the Yankees hoped to spread out his innings so he could last longer into the season.Chamberlain struggled most of the season, except for a bright spot after the All-Star Break where he seemed unhittable. His velocity was nowhere near what fans saw as a reliever, and his breaking pitches were not nearly as sharp and devastating. Joba was eventually moved to the bullpen late in the year and finished the season 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA.Now that 2009 is over and in the books, let's look ahead to what 2010 holds for Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain.With CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte the only pitchers penciled into the 2010 rotation, the uncertainty of Chien-Ming Wang's health, and a poor free agent starting pitchers pool, the Yankees will need Hughes and/or Joba to fill one or both of the remaining two spots.But how effective can they be We have seen both Hughes and Joba struggle in the rotation. Will Hughes be back in the pen, or will we see Joba lighting up the radar gun as the bridge to RiveraIn my opinion, 2010 is the year for Hughes and Joba to make their marks in the American League as starting pitchers Throw them in the rotation. Joba should be able to go 200 innings this year, and Hughes shouldn't have a problem stretching back into a starting pitcher over the offseason and into Spring Training.If the plan goes awry, then decide the better of the two evils and throw one of them back into the pen. The Yankees cannot wait around forever to decide if these two fine young pitchers can have success in the rotation.

It has to be decided this year.We all know the potential Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain have. They have both been at the center of potential trades and are coveted by every team. With World Series rings on their fingers, they should have the confidence to now go out and start effectively. A great offense backing them up shouldn't hurt either.Go out and show people why you were drafted so highly, why you were so feared in the minors, and why you deserve to be a part of the New York Yankees' starting rotation.. Two years ago, UNLV mens basketball coach Lon Kruger was voted the MWC Coach of the Year, as well as the United States Basketball Writers Association District VIII Coach of the Year, after leading an undermanned and undersized squad to a conference championship and a first round win in the NCAA tournament. If the Rebels can maintain their current pace and level of play, Kruger will make that season seem underwhelming by comparison. UNLV tipped off the season amidst rampant uncertainty.

The Rebels lost three of their top four scorers from a senior-laden team that struggled with inconsistency last year. A bevy of talented newcomers stepped in, eager to prove themselves. Words like "potential" and "upside" were thrown around liberally in the preseason. Nevada and Southern Illinois fell to the Rebels at the Thomas and Mack Center the week before. The strong start has earned UNLV a well deserved spot in this weeks top 25 polls, released this morning The Rebels come in at No 21 in the coaches poll and No 24 in the AP poll. In just a few short weeks, Lon Kruger has churned a mishmash of recruits, transfers, and returnees into a deep, entertaining, and explosive team. UNLV has overwhelmed their opposition, utilizing an unconventional 11-man rotation to wear down visitors and eventually pull away. Kruger has been a master chef. Hes mixed and matched ingredients, rotating lineups and combinations into a deliciously confusing yet always satisfying concoction. The early results are surprisingly tasty. If the season is a meal, November games are just an appetizer. The main course is yet to come, then hopefully a hearty dessert. The Rebels must not forget last years collapse too soon. After a victory over Louisville at Freedom Hall last December, UNLV was 12-2 and on the verge of breaking into the top 25. Saturday night theyll take on Santa Clara. Kruger will do his best to remind his team of the bitter flavor they endured post-Louisville in 2008. Five games in, UNLV cannot allow feelings of satisfaction to linger. The appetizer was delicious, but if anything, the Rebels should be even hungrier.. Ill admit it.