From Marc Carig:
The top seed gets their choice of two possible schedules (check them out here at mlb.com) for the AL Division Series. Option A would give the Yankees a day off after Game 1, which means they would need only three starters. Option B, meanwhile, would have the teams play both Game 1 and 2 on back-to-back days before an off day for travel, meaning the Yankees would need four starters.
In other words, the Yankees will have the choice of putting Joba Chamberlain, who stars Wednesday against the Rays, in the bullpen during the opening round.
Steve elaborated on this today by further explaining the Yankee options:
He’s telling you is that as Yankee manager he will factor in both who his starting pitcher is in Game 4 and who the opponents starter will be. If Joba is throwing the ball reasonably well down the stretch and you’re playing the Tigers, who would be looking at
Nate RobertsonJarrod Washburn for Game 4, then I think it’s a safe bet you’ll see the 4 man format. If Joba is struggling, as Kepner said it’s possible Girardi opts for the 3 man schedule and you’ll see Joba used out of the bullpen for the ALDS. I don’t think that would preclude him from starting in the ALCS, where you need 4 starters. But over the next few weeks, Joba will be pitching for a Game 4 (if neccessary) start.
I prefer taking the longer series, as I am not ready to give Joba a start trailing 2-1 in the ALDS. Of course, if Joba turns it around, I would likely alter that position.
The question up for discussion is simple. What would you do? Do you pick the longer series to get both CC and AJ/Andy two starts? Do you take the shorter series and let Joba pitch, knowing that this forces the opposition to use their 4th starter? Does it make a difference if the opponent is the Tigers or the Rangers? Chime in below.
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13 Responses to Discussion: Which Series Should The Yankees Pick?
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TIQ IQ
You can see the entire potential schedule here http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp?y=09
Why does the best record AL team get to decide which series they want and not the NL? Is that a result of the All-Star game or does it alternate each year which league gets the 8 day series?
I don’t know. That is a fascinating catch, I’ll try and find out.
Just as many fans get ahead of themselves about the Yankees making the playoffs (which they probably are, but just noting it for effect), who is to say the Yankees will even need a fourth starter in the ALDS? Are we as fans willing to concede a game already? I mean they are playing .750 ball, so maybe we are to expect a 4 game set, but winning the first three games isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
No but why plan for the bets and get the worst, it would be like if you had a hole in your roof you didn’t fix because it wasn’t suppose to rain for a month and then two days later a hurricane hits.
very true and I agree 100% that should take the longer series for the simple fact that if they are down 2-1 I’d prefer CC pitching. I just wanted to point out that they very well could win in 3 games.
The only reason I would want to use 4 starters in the first round is because Joba wont pitch out of the pen in the first round so he would have to wait a whole 3-5 games plus off days and waiting for others series and then the first 3 games of the next round.
If the Yankees play the Rangers it’s a no-brainer–you go for Series A. If it’s the Tigers (much more likely I think), then I’m not so sure. As much as I love CC, Justin Verlander has the stuff to win a pitcher’s duel with anybody, and I’m not sure I like the idea of facing him and Jackson repeatedly. I think the Yankees should force their hand and make them use Washburn and Porcello and go for B
We can beat Edwin Jackson with either CC or AJ, since when is Edwin Jascksona legit number two? He has some good stuff but if he was their 3 starter I would be scared as a number 2 he is just good but our line up can eat him up once for sure an out last him for another.
However you bring up an interesting point, if the Rangers make it (and they won’t) what would their rotation look like Milwood, Holland and Feldman?
Jackson’s career is a lot like that of Daniel Cabrera–electric stuff, but never really pulled it all together. This year he finally harnessed his stuff–walks are down, strikeouts are up, and the 147 ERA+ is the proof. That being said, the 1.235 WHIP isn’t spectacular, but it’s way better than Burnett’s 1.403. Either way, if he brings his A-game, he can completely shut a team down
Same can be said for almost any pitcher in the post season… When AJ and Joba are on their best they both can throw up zeros and beat Jackson and Joba out dueled him this year I just don’t fear him! Can he be dominate at times yes but I just think it would be a more dangerous rotation if he were third.
Lets say it is the Tigers and Girardi elects to go with Pettitte as the number 2 starter in the playoffs then the match ups are pretty favorable.
Verlander Vs Sabathia
Jackson Vs Pettitte
Porcello Vs Burnett
true, but based on the ERAs, Burnett has a tendency to be off his game more often than Jackson has been.
I also think they go with the more experienced Washburn as the #3 rather than Porcello
That’s not necessarily the case it’s just when Burnett is off he is really off, not to mention he has had two terrible games against the Red Sox where he gave up 7+ earned runs both times.
They have already said they won’t… Jim Leyland is going with Porcello as his 3, Washburn may have experience but he has been awful for the Tigers!
true enough. Our 1-3 matches up with anyone else’s anyway, so “which one would you rather do” is a choice between two favorable scenarios.
Leyland said Porcello is his 3? well, his opinion clearly matters a great deal more than mine, so fair enough.