Instead of a pitching duel, it became a pitching lesson.
The veteran “role model” showing the rookie what it takes to have consistent success at baseball’s highest level, offering a clinic in composure and command. The rookie showing that he still is an unfinished product when it comes to navigating the difficulties of a different style of baseball.
While they hail from the same homeland — something that made Tuesday night’s game between a World Series contender and a team that hasn’t thought about the postseason since May at least interesting — the juxtaposition between the two men as MLB pitchers couldn’t have been more obvious in the Yankees’ 7-0 victory over the Mariners.