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…

i like this idea alot, lol.. of course we’d have to go out and sweep for this to happen

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.