"Our Goal Is To Win The Division"
That's what Joe Girardi said, but his actions certainly didn't back those words up. I think if you gave him truth serum, he would admit that he put winning the division below resting his players when push came to shove.
It's water under the bridge now. The Yankees are going to be the wild card because they lost to Boston (As I write this Tampa tied up their game 2-2, so it may not matter what the Yankees did today.) That means they are headed to Minnesota for the start of the playoffs I imagine we will hear that Andy Pettitte is starting Game 2 with Phil Hughes starting Game 3 and CC on tap to pitch on short rest in Game 4. Considering the Twins hit .276/.343/.433 vs RHP and .269/.338/.403 vs lefties that makes sense.
It should be a very interesting October.
Comments
Given Pettite's depleted condition, how will you get 2 starts out of him? I'd rather go with a 4 person rotation so you get Sabathia twice on full rest.
The Twins can't hit A.J. I'd go with Sabathia and Hughes in Minnesota and then Pettite with extra rest in Game 3. Burnett in game 4. Sabathia in Game 5.
Posted by: Corey | October 3, 2010 08:05 PM |
Corey
I just don't see how you can hand the ball to AJ. You're right that he has certainly handled them as a Yankee. But I view it as the lesser of two evils and Pettitte would be on regular rest in the second start.
If they are going to go with four starters, I certainly hope they follow your rotation with Hughes in Minnesota, he is much better on the road.
Hey, are you going to any of the games?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
October 3, 2010 08:25 PM
|
I think JG really believed that he could win the division and rest his players at the same time; he did seem to try rotating them in and out in a fairly methodical way. And he almost made it, came down to the last day of the season.
The numbers tell me that a lot of players need to reverse their slumps at the same time. The team BA is way down, the ERA is up and that is a combination that spells trouble. Who knows, maybe the rest will help them come up with one last month long push. Possible? Sure, Probable? I don't know.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
October 4, 2010 10:00 AM
|
I think you start Sabathia, Hughes, Pettite... than you pray you are up 2-1 and can start AJ. Not that I want to get ahead of myself but winning the series in 4 games and allowing Sabathia to possibly start 3 times in the ALCS has to be worth the gamble. If you are down 1-2 in Game 4. Nothing left to do except let Sabathia go in game 4.
Posted by: tim | October 4, 2010 10:03 PM |
Agree with Tim. The stats show Hughes pitches better on the road than at home. Target field is a pitcher's field. Sabathia-Hughes-Pettite in games 1-3. The Twins were among the few teams Burnett handled fairly well. He can maybe be considered for Game 4 if we're up 2-1. Maybe. Depends on the condition of Sabathia and the bullpen. We'd need to yank him in a hurry if things look like they're getting out of hand, so we'll need a fresh, trustworthy arm in reserve to go long in the event the evil AJ shows up
Posted by: Greg | October 4, 2010 11:50 PM |
Tim/Greg
Sounds like the Yankees are not going to let AJ pitch in the ALDS. Can't say I disagree at this point.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/playing_their_ace_xs3NjWGoJSTEhNSw2MxDWL
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
October 5, 2010 07:47 AM
|
Peter: I'll be at Game 2. Should be a good ballpark for Pettite - tough to hit homeruns. Hey, even A.J. would do well in this park.
Posted by: corey | October 5, 2010 11:04 AM |
Corey-
Sounds like fun. Enjoy it and bring us back a win!
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
October 5, 2010 06:09 PM
|