Sports
Hazelwood's Yankees Pitcher David Phelps Gets His Starting Shot
The Hazelwood native who is a New York Yankees relief pitcher will move to the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation to replace Freddy Garcia, until Andy Pettitte is ready to reclaim that spot. Phelps will start Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.
It was only a matter of time. That's what you see on most sports blogs about and New York Yankees relief pitcher David Phelps.
It was only a matter of time before the early season struggles of Yankees starters Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia forced manger Joe Girardi to change things up a bit.
And boy is Hazelwood proud of the changes Girardi's made. Phelps, who has already faced every St. Louis boy's idol for at least the last decade and come out victorious, will start Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals. He pitched against without breaking a sweat or allowing him to score.
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Phelps arrived in Missouri Wednesday afternoon ahead of the club, and expects at least 25 family members and friends, including his brother, parents and wife to attend the game, according to MLB.com.
"I'm really excited," Phelps told MLB. "I'm trying as much as I can to take it like it's any other game, but it's a big deal for me. It's going to be awesome. I'm gonna have a lot of family there."
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Following a successful spring training in which Phelps threw 17 1/3 innings for a 2.08 ERA, he made the New York Yankees club and has been used as a long-reliever.
Thus far the graduate has pitched 17-plus innings and holds a 3.57 ERA with 14 strikeouts, according to ESPN blogger Matt Ehalt.
The question that has the Internet abuzz is whether Phelps is “the answer” to the New York Yankees recent pitching issues?
Answer or not, one thing Phelps doesn't have to worry about to letting his hometown down. Good Luck!
Do you have some well-wishes for David Phelps? Tell him and Patch in the comments section below.
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