Three starters or four?
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- October
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One of the big questions for Joe Girardi tomorrow – and one which he may not answer – is how many starters the Yankees will use in the World Series. In the ALCS, the schedule had an extra off-day (between Games 4 and 5) that allowed the Yankees to use CC Sabathia three times, if necessary, while only pitching once on short rest. Everyone else pitched twice on normal rest.
In the World Series, there are only two scheduled off days. That means a three-man rotation would require that Andy Pettitte and A.J. Burnett also pitch on short rest, as well as Sabathia. Is that a gamble? Sure. But it also might be less of a gamble than pitching Chad Gaudin, whose last appearance of more than two innings came on Sept. 28.
My initial thought was that the Yankees would have to use four starters because of concerns about using Pettitte and Burnett short. It now seems that the Yankees are more seriously considering that option, and it’s hard to argue with using your best players as often as possible when the games matter most. Even if the Yankees do use Gaudin, one possibility would be to use him in Game 5 – with Sabathia starting Game 4 – so that CC could hypothetically pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 (the last two coming on short rest).
If it were me, I think that’s the plan I’d choose. Burnett and Pettitte both pitching short is something I’m just not sure about, but I do like the idea of Sabathia being available three times. Gaudin vs. Joe Blanton? Sounds like an offense type of game anyway, and I think the Yankees have shown plenty of times this year that winning a game 7-5 isn’t all that unfamiliar.
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on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 5:54 pm by Sam Borden.
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Chad Jennings
Josh Thomson
4!
i’ll give the old “you can rest in the winter” speech. I know its risky for Andy. But CC and AJ are big boys…they can handle it and Andy’s arm is going to go flying off with 1 game on 3 days rest.
plus…i really do not feel comfortable starting Chad Guadin in a game in the world series. i mean for god sakes…he has thrown what? 1 inning in the last month?
I would just have CC go on 2 days rest 4 times.
How about this:
CC – 1, 4, 7
AJ – 2
Andy – 3, 6
Gaudin – 5
With A.J. available out of the pen for 6 and/or 7.
I figure that at least one game gets rained out, which makes the Sabathia for three games and three starters a non-issue. also, Guzman and Cervelli is out and Hinske and Bruney are in. Just my guess.
Sweeny Murti said today that AJ told him this week he went on 3 days a few times for Toronto last summer.
I scanned his starts this morning and I saw once was against the Yankees in July and he went 8 innings 1 run and the other was the Sox in September and I think he went 6 innings 1 run.
I’d take either of those starts from him in the WS.
Also, Guzman and Cervelli ***are*** out
I like that plan but might instead go with:
CC- 1, 4, 7
Andy – 2, 6
AJ – 3
Gaudin – 5
I would have AJ ready out of the pen on games 5 through 7.
I was wondering when someone would suggest that C.C. on short rest does not mean everyone else has to be. He should be able to go three times. Gaudin should be able to contribute something close to a quality start and he can most likely have short leash with Sabathia going the day before. That also lines up AJ to be back home. Something like CC, AJ, travel, AP, CC, CG, travel, AJ, CC, with Andy available in relief. I wonder if AJ on short rest is better than him with an extra day.
I would take those starts as well.
I think Cervelli stays on the roster if Molina is going to catch Burnett.
Anthony – can’t go with Andy in game 2 unless he pitches on 3 days rest.
That contest of the Francessa show is like trading your soul to the devil. Imagine getting to see Game #1 of the WS in choice seats, but, having to sit next to Francessa for 4 and a half hours.
Well, at least they are not considering Joba in one of those games.
i have no idea how you can justify giving Chad Gaudin a start in the 2009 World Series.
The Yankees need 4 wins which means many things are subject to change. The only pitching certainties are C.C., A.J., and Andy with Mariano to close whenever he can. Too many things can influence what happens including scouting reports and matchups.
I’m not too sure about the rain-outs. I think they’ll play on the off days if there’s a rain out.
such a tough decision. i have a feeling that the rain/bad weather will impact this series. i don’t see the series being played without at least 1 postponed game.
I like our chances with a four man rotation with these matchups:
CC vs. Lee
AJ vs. “Who’s your Daddy”
Pettitte vs. Hamels
Gaudin vs. Blanton
Right now I don’t have all that much confidence in our options for long relief, and Girardi seems to lack confidence in Robertson, who has looked very good.
If there’s a rainout than a 3 man rotation is feasible.
“Even if the Yankees do use Gaudin, one possibility would be to use him in Game 5 – with Sabathia starting Game 4 – so that CC could hypothetically pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 (the last two coming on short rest).”
That’s the plan that I advocated this morning. It would give you Burnett in game 6, with Pettitte on short rest able to help out at least a few innings if AJ gets in trouble. With the length they hopefully get from CC in game 4, they would have plenty of arms to cover any shortfall of innings from a Gaudin start in game 5.
“That contest of the Francessa show is like trading your soul the devil. Imagine getting to see Game #1 of the WS in choice seats, but, having to sit next to Francessa for 4 and half hours.”
How about a committee approach from the bullpen for either Game Four or Five? If you don’t use too many relievers the night before, you could get through a game with four of the top five guys (Ace, Robertson, Joba, Hughes, Mo) with the LOOGYs sprinkled in here and there, and the pitching changes happening when the spot comes up in the lineup. Matsui, Hinske, the non-starter of Swisher/Gardner and one sacrifice situation gets you through the (probably) four plate appearances from the pitcher’s spot. It’s probably better than using Andy and AJ on short rest, and it’s certainly better than letting Gaudin pitch against Philly’s lefties.
Yankee Trader,
I think if they go 4 man, they have to have CC go games 1, 4, and 7. He is capable of good to great starts on 3 days rest.
I really don’t think Molina will catch Burnett, especially if Burnett is needed for a game in Philly. Ther’s plenty of time for Posada and Burnett to hash out what irks them and be on the same page.
Kevin S-
“it’s certainly better than letting Gaudin pitch against Philly’s lefties.”
You have a point there as lefties batted .339 against
Ggaudin while he was pitching for the Yankees. Only Mitre was worse with a .421 lefty average against.
“I really don’t think Molina will catch Burnett”
The 4 run first inning the other night should free up Girardi to have Posada catch Burnett w/o being second guessed. Well, not really. If they lose, he will be questioned ragardless, but I think AJ’s poor game 5 does allow him to have Posada catch Burnett the rest of the way.
I can’t see having them play games until midnight and then spending the next 3-4 hours traveling on buses and planes to get from the ballpark to the hotels and play about 12 hours later.
Assuming its close
Gaudin 4 innings
Aceves 2 innings
Joba 2/3 inning
Hughes 2/3 inning
Mo 1 2/3 innings
Assuming they are losing, bad
Gaudin 5 innings
Aceves 3 innings
Coke 1 inning
We are talking about the world series here folks…this is the last round. We are not saving folks for another day.
CC…i mean come on…this guy was born to start on 3 days rest…he was picked out of the old school cabbage patch.
AJ pitched on 3 days rest last year a few times…so we know he can do it. Plus he is telling anyone that will listen that he wants the ball on 3 days rest in the WS.
the only question to me would be Andy. But really…we are talking about 1 start…his last start of the season! I would think he is more then able to do it.
again…no disrespect to chad gaudin. But come on folks…he hasn’t started a game in a month.
would andy on short rest in game 6 be the end of the world? i’m sure he could give you 6 good innings.
aj on the road game 5 is scary but a possibility.
pitching andy only once seems like a waste.
having andy and cc waiting at home for 6 & 7 seems like a plan.
seems like philly is panicking already announcing lee in games 1,4 & 7 and pedro in game 2 at the Stadium.
this could also mean pedro again at the Stadium game 6 or 7.
Suicidal.
Although I wish it were otherwise, I don’t believe AJ’s last start will have soured Girardi on the AJ-Molina pairing.
If Girardi believed strongly enough in it to sit Posada in the ALDS and the ALCS, I can’t see how one bad inning is going to change Girardi’s mind.
And, if AJ starts games 2 and 6, as I think he will, playing Molina in the NL park is not a factor.
That is how I would do it. Not worried at all about pitching CC 3 times in a 7 game, twice on short rest. Pitching AJ worries me more than Andy as Andy is a much smarter pitcher than AJ is.
I think you better have a long reliever ready for when AJ is to pitch anyway.
Lets get em.
Here’s what I would do: throw CC, AJ, and Andy one through three, then:
-If the Yanks are down 0-3, pitch everyone on 3 days rest till the end of the series
-If the Yanks are up in the series, either 3-0 or 2-1, pitch Gaudin and set up the rotation on proper rest.
-If the Yanks are down 1-2, pitch CC on 3 days rest in game 4. If we lose, everyone goes on 3 days rest until the end of the series. If we win, throw Gaudin in game 5, start Andy in game 6 with the quick-hook option of Burnett, and then CC on short rest again in game 7.
Free Mike Vick,
You are right about Gaudin, but the choice is either he starts one game, or the other 3 are all on 3 days rest, weather permitting. There is no other choice to start. Joba? that’s a worse option than Gaudin at this point. Aceves? ditto. Nobody else is even capable of giving a start, or at least 4 innings.
How’s this for irony: Burnett’s poor pitching in Game 5 of the ALCS made Pettitte the preferred starter in Game 2 of the Series. Unfortunately, Burnett’s poor pitching led to the loss of Game 5, which made Pettitte unavailable for Game 2 of the Series (at least with normal rest.) In retrospect I wish Pettitte had been slated before Burnett in the rotation throughout the post-season
from espn:
“He earned his 16th postseason win, breaking a tie with John Smoltz, and his fifth to close out a postseason series — also a major league record.”
“The 37-year-old left-hander delivered, allowing only one run for his second closeout win of these playoffs. He also beat Minnesota to complete a first-round sweep.
Always a picture of poise and focus in October, narrowed eyes peering between his cap and glove as he takes his signs on the mound, Pettitte also owns postseason records with 38 starts and 237 1/3 innings pitched.”
how does pettitte with his experience and how well he’s done this postseason not get two starts in the world series ?
he has to.
sabathia needs to get three starts.
so any plan i think must give sabathia three starts and pettite 2 starts.
that’s five games. two left.
burnett could get two or maybe one depending on what girardi decides.
Doing the math if CC pitches on 3 days rest in games 1,4, and 7, using a 3 man rotation AJ and Pettitte will have to also. No way- A 4th starter or committee will still be needed in game 5!
If we go with 3 starters, with the current WS format of 2-3-2, it’s like Spahn and Sain and pray for rain [snow in this instance]!!
Having Philly face lefties in 5 of the 7 games seems worth it.
Go with Aj on the road, catch posada, live dangerously.
Andy game 6. 3 days rest, gamble.
I agree that you need to get 1 start to Gaudin. AJ and Andy on short rest is a recipe for disaster. Both have responded well to an extra days rest (especially Andy), so it makes no sense. Gaudin may be a weak link, but the possibility of bad outings by both AJ and Andy is a worse scenario.
1 CC
2 AJ
3 Andy
4 CC
5 Gaudin
6 AJ with Andy available as an early replacement
7 CC
Andy CANNOT go in game 2, makes no sense (why start him on short rest when AJ is available?)
Andy in game 6 is nice on paper, but again, you are better off with an unreliable AJ with more rest than a tired aging Pettitte in there.
If we see Lee 3 times, twice on 3 days rest, and Pedro twice, we win. Lee is good, but he doesn’t have the kind of stuff that CC has to be able to beat a team when they are seeing you 3 times in 7 games.
Here’s hoping the Molina/ Burnett marriage ends. Cervelli’s roster spot needs to go to Hinske. My guess is that Marte will make the roster because of all the lefthanded bats. I think pitching Gaudin in Game 4 is the way to go if we have a series lead. Otherwise, my vote is to go with 3 starters.
can everybody here take a moment give some thanks to The Yankees for winning last night, not having to play a game 7 this evening.
Mark in Tampa, the wild card here will be whether Girardi factors into the equation that AJ was pitching on the road. I would think he should, seeing AJ’s best games have been at the Stadium, but all of that remains to be seen.
I think you’d have a much better case of having Posada catchy AJ if AJ’s best games were on the road and he gave up 4 runs in the first inning in a road game.
randy-
Good points (as you know I love Andy) but what’s different between now and the start of the post-season? Andy had all that experience then, and Girardi didn’t start him.
I don’t think Girardi will change his mind on one outing, especially since changing his mind would force Andy to pitch on short rest either in Game 2 or Game 6.
“seems like philly is panicking already announcing lee in games 1,4 & 7 and pedro in game 2 at the Stadium.”
Where did that rumor get started!!
“GreenBeret7
October 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
That contest of the Francessa show is like trading your soul to the devil. Imagine getting to see Game #1 of the WS in choice seats, but, having to sit next to Francessa for 4 and a half hours.”
LOL
I’d be pulling out all the stops –
Andy Pettitte is not a starter.
Bill Parcells is over rated.
Bronson Arroyo stinks.
Chris Russo knows more baseball than anyone in America.
Hopefully he’d get up and leave, and I’d have some breathing room.
I am thinking that Girard is not going to want to mess with anything right now in terms of switching catchers for AJ. Just my thought on the matter. If I had a vote I would vote for Molina to continue to catch him.
I’m very confident in CC’s ability to go twice on 3 days rest.
I’m fairly confident AJ can go once on 3 days rest.
I’m moderately confident Andy can pitch 5-6 decent innings on 3 days rest, in a game 6 scenario.
I’d rather have Andy pitch 5 quality innings in game 6.
If Gaudin starts, it would be in game 5. No way they mess up CC going in 1, 4 and 7. And Gaudin will definitely not start either games 2 or 3. There’s also no way he starts a game 6.
Therefore, it would go:
CC-AJ-off-Andy-CC-Gaudin-off-AJ-CC
AJ on 5 days rest in game 6 (with Andy capable of coming out of the pen in games 6 or 7)
or:
CC-Andy-off-AJ-CC-Gaudin-off-Andy-CC
Andy on 5 days rest in game 6 (with AJ capable of coming out of the pen in games 6 or 7)
My guess is we see the 3 man rotation.
let’s 2nd guess ourselves now: if we are down 3-1 do we throw aj on the road in game 5?
Unfortunately, the rain spoiled what probably was the best plan.
CC, Pettitte, day off, Burnett, CC, Gaudin, day off Pettitte, CC.
This way you throw lefties in 5 of 7 games, plus you use Gaudin with the day off the next day to recoup the bullpen. Since Andy can’t pitch on Thursday, it will be
CC, AJ, day off, Pettitte, CC, Gaudin, day off, AJ, CC.
This would may using Molina more palatable, but that’s the other reason why I prefer the first way. You would consider not starting Molina at all, and might use Cervelli’s roster spot for more flexibility. If game 1 or 2 is rained out, I move Andy up.
Mark in Tampa,
i would let all 3 of my starters go on 3 days rest.
as i noted..CC and AJ have done it in recent memory with success. And Andy will give you everything he can.
i’m not trying to bash gaudin….but there is not way i can let him or anyone else (joba or acves) start a world series game on the road in philly.
I think you have to go with 3 starters. Hopefully Andy thinks he can handle it. I would rather have AJ and Andy start the games on short rest and then you can bring in Gaudin if they get into trouble. Gaudin hasn’t pitched in 3 weeks. You can’t just throw him into a start against that lefty lineup. That would be brutal. This is the WS not the 1st round of the play offs knowing that you still need to hold back for 5-6 more starts. You would hope that Andy has about 14 innings left in his arm for this season.
vin
youre throwing andy in game 2 on 3 days rest?
The thing is, I dont trust AJ burnett….so it would have to be…
CC – Andy – AJ (in Philly) – CC – Gaudin (in Philly) Andy – CC
i’d want Andy twice, and CC 3 times, with AJ only getting 1 start.
Though id be fine with CC-AJ-Andy-CC-AJ-Andy-CC as well.
id probably go with the 3 days rest for all three pitchers. they can rest in the offseason.
My 2nd scenario above would have Andy going on 3 days rest in game 2. Scratch that one off as an option.
I’d bet money that Andy pitches games 3-6, and Gaudin doesn’t get a start.
My matchup:
Game 1: Sabathia vs Lee
Game 2: Burnett vs Pedro
Rest
Game 3: Pettitte vs Hamel
Game 4: Sabathia vs Blanton
Game 5: Gaudin vs Lee
Rest
Game 6: Burnett vs Pedro
Game 7: Sabathia(+Pettitte) vs Hamel
Burnett and Pettitte should not do 3-day rest like Sabathia. I start Burnett at game 2 because he must work with Molina. He can’t work with Posada. If Burnett pitches on the road, you will have two pitcher-caliber batting (Molina+Burnett). Big no-no. Burnett will only pitch at home by my lineup.
Game 3&4 are overmatches on paper. Both Sabathia and Pettitte are ok batters. Game 5 is a throwaway. Yankees match Lee with their worst pitcher, which I will consider a victory. Yankees should have pitching advantages on game 6&7 too.
Having said so, I will adjust matchup according to the latest situation.
mick October 26th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
let’s 2nd guess ourselves now: if we are down 3-1 do we throw aj on the road in game 5?
__________________________
i can tell you who you don’t throw….CHAD GAUDIN.
Yeah, just caught that, Mick. I think Girardi has only 1 option… pray for rain.
DT – OPPC member
October 26th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
“GreenBeret7
October 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
That contest of the Francessa show is like trading your soul to the devil. Imagine getting to see Game #1 of the WS in choice seats, but, having to sit next to Francessa for 4 and a half hours.”
LOL
I’d be pulling out all the stops –
Andy Pettitte is not a starter.
Bill Parcells is over rated.
Bronson Arroyo stinks.
Chris Russo knows more baseball than anyone in America.
Hopefully he’d get up and leave, and I’d have some breathing room.
*********
I bet I could get him to play GTLU
Does anyone remember going back a few years (well at least several I guess) that Andy was called on a few times to pitch on short rest and he had real problems doing it? I don’t know whether that matters with respect to his pitching now, but it’s something I remember. I am pretty sure it was short rest that was his problem, because I remember Moose having the opposite problem – if he got too much rest he couldn’t pitch well.
Always a picture of poise and focus in October, narrowed eyes peering between his cap and glove as he takes his signs on the mound, Pettitte also owns postseason records with 38 starts and 237 1/3 innings pitched.”
————————————————————
“Pettitte peers, peerless” – Dynasty is Destiny
Did anybody have any doubt that Andy was going to bring his A-game last night? I sure didn’t.
Honestly, with Andy and CC for games 6-7? I just felt totally at ease about their chances of advancing.
Joe G only has one option, the best option
3 man rotation
GUYS THIS IS THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!
U need ur best starters
I am not concerned about this yet but…..
At what point do we get concerned that there is rain in the forecast again for Wednesday?
I think you pretty much have to play it game to game.
–> CC HAS to pitch in three games…period.
If the yankees win the first 2 games at home, you go with the Gaudin pitching game 5 route.
If the yankees split or lose both at home, Yankees go with 3 man rotation on short rest to give themselves the best chance.
I think Girardi needs the wisdom of Solomon on this one. As always, he’ll be second guessed no matter what he does. I think it’s almost a coin flip. I don’t know that there is an ideal answer. In fact, there isn’t.
I would vote for going with 4 starters and hoping for the best. It’s going to be ugly if short rest starts to have a domino effect.
our key would be to win the first 2 games, just like the ALCS.
if we come home, up or down 3-2,our chances are good with andy and cc.
Something else to remember here.
Cliff Lee has NEVER STARTED A GAME ON 3 DAYS REST.
John Kruk just said that he thinks the Yankees can’t handle the Phillies offense. I really hate this guy.
The Phillies are showing me that they are worried. The fact that they are going to pitch Lee on 3 days rest twice to match up with CC shows fear of being down early in this series.
Schilling pitched on 3 days rest twice and was great in the 2001 World Series. CC is getting extra rest again, and he is so strong that 3 days rest is nothingto him.
DT – OPPC member
October 26th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
“GreenBeret7
October 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
That contest of the Francessa show is like trading your soul to the devil. Imagine getting to see Game #1 of the WS in choice seats, but, having to sit next to Francessa for 4 and a half hours.”
LOL
I’d be pulling out all the stops –
Andy Pettitte is not a starter.
Bill Parcells is over rated.
Bronson Arroyo stinks.
Chris Russo knows more baseball than anyone in America.
Hopefully he’d get up and leave, and I’d have some breathing room.
————————————————————
It would ALMOST be worth it to watch him blow a gasket to say that Chamberlain belongs in the rotation and that the Yankees don’t buy titles. The spit flying from his mouth would produce enough water to wash out Game #2. Gotta get that extra day off for Sabathia.
The question is moot! Yankees win it in 4.
Mary in Summit
October 26th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
John Kruk just said that he thinks the Yankees can’t handle the Phillies offense. I really hate this guy.
*****
Did George Steinbrenner ever drop a house on his sister?? Sheesh
You absolutely can’t start Gaudin in a game 5 unless the Yanks are up big in the series…which I doubt will be the case. He will give them 3 innings, 50 pitches and then what? You are basically giving away a game.
erica
i brought that up before.
if wed. gets rained out, we would have 5 straight days of baseball, no days off.
that would mean 4 starters for sure.
It seems to me that neither AJ nor Andy are so bad as to require the pitching of CC twice on short rest.
He did fine once, but that doesn’t mean he will always do fine.
I’d pitch him in games 1 and 5, use Gaudin in 4, pitch AJ and Andy in their regular rotation.
That would leave CC available to come into game 7 if he was needed, the way Randy Johnson did in Game 7 of the 2001 series, the way Pedro did in game 7 of the 2004 ALCS.
Personally, though, I think the Yanks will have wrapped it up before a game 7.
CC vs. Lee
A.J vs. Pedro
Andy vs. Cole
CC vs. Lee
Chaudin vs. Blanton (I can like with that)
A.J vs. Pedro (Andy backing up A.J)
CC. vs. Lee
I can live with A.J vs. Pedro and Chaudin vs. Blanton
What is wrong with starting Gaudin then bringing in Ace at the slightest sign of trouble then Robertson to get them to Hughes? It’s not like Aceves and Hughes get any innings anyway and that’s what has been successful this past season when Mitre was starting.
In an ideal world for the Yankees, game 1 or 2 will be postponed, allowing the Yankees to start 2 lefties at home on regular rest to face the lefty Howard and his sterling .203 average against lefties.
However Utley’s OBP Slugging and batting average were all better facing lefties. Ditto with Ibanez. Matt Stairs never got a hit this year against a lefty, so he will probably DH vs righties in Yankee Stadium.
Jason Werth their only other 30 homer guy is a righty and kills lefties.
I would not pitch either Pettitte or AJ on 3 days rest.
“I think Girardi needs the wisdom of Solomon on this one”
Come on. I hardly thinking cutting CC in half will solve the problem.
Actually… the big fella would probably net us the equivalent of Tim Lincecum AND Clayton Kershaw. I might consider it.
Erica – always OPPC
October 26th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
DT – OPPC member
October 26th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
“GreenBeret7
October 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
That contest of the Francessa show is like trading your soul to the devil. Imagine getting to see Game #1 of the WS in choice seats, but, having to sit next to Francessa for 4 and a half hours.”
LOL
I’d be pulling out all the stops –
Andy Pettitte is not a starter.
Bill Parcells is over rated.
Bronson Arroyo stinks.
Chris Russo knows more baseball than anyone in America.
Hopefully he’d get up and leave, and I’d have some breathing room.
*********
I bet I could get him to play GTLU
————————————————————
Make sure that you wear your special raincoat. You’ll either melt his heart or you’ll need it to stay dry when he starts spitting during his rants.
MLB-Network is showing a replay of Philly-NY the Saturday game.
4-2 Philly leads going into 9th.
I might have to keep watching – Maybe Lidge won’t blow it this time.
I have no clue what to do about the rotation. The only thing I wil say is CC should get 3 starts “if needed”. I will leave the rest to the people who know best.
I would also strongly suggest Bruney and Hinske make the roster.
The pinch runner experiment should be over.
All I can say is, I pray to the Lord that the Phillies start Pedro in game 2. This guy is a shell of his former self. While he may be better so far this postseason than Hamels, Pedro is the type of pitcher the Yanks feast off of, a 88-90 fastball guy who tries to mix in a change up and get hitters to chase off the plate. the Yankees would wait him out and crush him. Hamels on the other hand, is much more talented and would have a much better shot at shutting the Yankees down.
Kruk can talk up the Phillies offense all day. But pitching wins in October and the Yankees have better pitching and have been pitching better than any playoff club. Good pitching can make any offense look weak. Example : Angels
And Pedro, Blanton, and Hamels can’t shut down the Yankees, and neither can their bullpen.
“You absolutely can’t start Gaudin in a game 5 unless the Yanks are up big in the series”
The only way I would start Chad in game 5 is if the Yanks have a 4-0 series lead.
AJ and Andy on 3 days rest >>>>>>>>> Chad Gaudin not having started in a month plus a week.
seems simple to me.
“I might have to keep watching – Maybe Lidge won’t blow it this time.”
Surprised more people haven’t been talking about this game. That was when ARod NATHANIZED Brad Lidge. Which has a weird, Back to the Future quality to it.
I never understand the “your comment is awaiting moderation” message after my tagline – watch it will be gone now – because I don’t have any comment submitted that hasn’t posted!
Oh well.
tarheel
hinske is a no brainer. it comes down to bruney or cervelli and while neither of them will probably be used i’d rather have cervelli and not play him, than bruney who is a headcase and hasn’t pitched in weeks.
What is wrong with starting Gaudin then bringing in Ace at the slightest sign of trouble
————————
Gaudin hasn’t pitched in 3 weeks, how many pitches do you think he can give them? No more than 50. Aceves has also only pitched a couple of times in the last 3 weeks. He also almost cost them 2 games in this series. You aren’t going to get the Phillies lineup out with mediocre stuff and or pitchers.
“John Kruk just said that he thinks the Yankees can’t handle the Phillies offense. I really hate this guy.”
—————————————————
Yankee hitters led in team batting .284 vs .258
OBP. .363 vs. .335
slugging .479 vs .448
strikeouts 971 vs 1113
runs 883 vs 786
homers 235 to 217
We led in doubles and triples too. Only thing the Philly offense has over us is total stolen bases 110 vs 104 but they were thrown out more frequently.
Tell Kruk to research the facts!!!
“Good points (as you know I love Andy) but what’s different between now and the start of the post-season? Andy had all that experience then, and Girardi didn’t start him.”
wave your hat-
andy missed tha start in early september and scuffled at times finishing the season. he wasn’t horrible , just mediocre except for a big win in the red sox game in his next to last start of the season.
then he threw good starts in the postseason going 2-0 with a 2.37 era.
he closed out two series. he’s the all time wins leader.
we don’t know if burnett choked in the biggest game of his life or if he just had a bad game.
in a bad game. we don’t know that about burnett.
pettitte has more postseason experience and success in the postseason a and burnett is new at it.
right now pettitte is the better pitcher. and while he could have a bad start like burnett could, it’s not going to be because of being overwhelmed by a new experience.
Kruk, the ex-phillie, is the perfect fool for espn.
He can say whatever he wants, anti-yankee, and play the homer.
Nobody respectable could get away with that, well maybe steve phillips, but his yankee hating days are over.
I would be respectful, but not scared of, the Philly offense.
The offense is good, but not as good as the Angels or the Red Sox. I see them as about equivalent to the Rangers or the Rays.
if you think girardi would trust aj in a game 6 or 7, think again.
Nice, vin. Made me laugh.
Seriously, though, this is the very end of the season. The Yankees were able to not overwork any of the big 3 starters down the stretch and Andy isn’t a fragile flower. If he has to go on 3 days rest this one time, it should be fine. He is a pitcher now, not a thrower. He’s not up there blazing fastballs past anyone, and he’s not relying on particularly nasty stuff. He’s working in and out, up and down, and mixing speeds. If he can’t do that effectively on 3 days rest, I’d be very surprised. And AJ is a fairly young, strong guy. I have no concerns about him going on 3 days. The only concern about AJ is where his head is. And after watching him in a few high-pressure games this year, I think he’s more likely to rise to the occasion than to fall apart. As to CC, you definitely want him available for 3 games, no question. If it gets to game 7, there’s no way you want anyone else starting. The ONLY way he’s available is for him to go on 3 days, twice. There’s a good chance he’s not going to be awesome all 3 times, but if he’s awesome the first time, then good enough the second, you may not even have to worry about the third. Point is, there are all professionals who happen to be pretty well rested and have not been abused at all this year. 3 days rest shouldn’t be that scary.
That said, the results of the first 3 games dictate the plans for the rest. If the Yankees are up 3-0 (probably unlikely) then I have no problem patching a game together with Gaudin starting. And who knows, there may even be rain.
randy-
All true, but still…
With Andy having to pitch on short rest, and with the Yanks paying AJ $15MM while they tried to nickel-and-dime Andy, I just think they’ll go with AJ first.
But I’m good with your way too, no real argument on that score.
I’ll repeat this one more time:
Andy pitches better on 5 or more days rest than on 4 days rest, he isn’t going to pitch on 3 days rest because there is no reason for him to do so.
His record this year on 4 days rest: 6-6 4.57 ERA
His record this year on 5 days rest: 6-1 3.63 ERA
Girardi isn’t exactly someone who is a risk taker in his decision making and he isn’t going to risk pitching Andy on 3 days rest when he hasn’t pitched with short rest since he came back to the Yankees. One of the most important elements in effective pitching is routine and preparation so you just can’t decide the day before a game who is pitching the next game.
Gaudin is not starting a game. Let it go folks.
The earth will not collapse, cats will not mate with dogs, if a starter in the postseason goes 3-4 innings. If Gaudin pitches in game 5, you have a day off for the pen afterwards. Is this so bad?
Gaudin 3 innings.
Aceves 2 innings
DRob, 1 inning
Joba, 1 inning
Hughes 1 inning
Rivera, 1 inning
And you have Coke and Marte in the pen if it goes to extras (plus the ability to stretch the other guys plus starters potentially pitching a side session in the game).
Think out of the box.
who’s to say that we dont sweep and only have to use 3 starters CC AJ AP CC (game, set, match).. this way we dont have to start gaudin nor have aj or andy pitch on short rest.
i like this idea alot, lol.. of course we’d have to go out and sweep for this to happen
AJ actually has decent numbers on short rest. however in only 27 innings.
Andy, not so much.
But I would rather give him a start on short rest in a game 6, with Gaudin as his insurance policy, rather than giving Gaudin the actual start…