Old Hoch Ain't Getting Any Younger

There used to be a pro golfer named Hoch, and he was best known for missing key putts, under pressure.   Not a good omen for tonight, my friends.

I see our Old Hoch is already 26.   Are you as surprised by that as me?    Where I come from, he could easily be Rick Porcello's father, and collecting social security disability to boot.

Old Yankee Stadium has had weird effects on some Royals' players over the years, and tonight should be rather interesting in this particular respect.   The Yankees have clinched their division, they have their 100 wins, and, mercifully, they are throwing somebody who seems to be a nobody at the Royals, but, but,...I know you stat-mongers don't like this kind of reasoning, but I have this bad feeling that our boy Luke might be doing some skywalking to the dugout in about the 4rth inning tonight.  Something about New Yankee Stadium, the Big Apple, whatever.    Our man Luke doesn't seem to do all that well under pressure.

I truly hope Old Hoch proves me wrong, and avoids a "Hoch Choke."   If he does, a dominating performance in New Yankee Stadium, even in the face of a distracted and resting lineup, would be a nice boost to Luke's momentum for 2010.