From Mark Feinsand:
That means handing the ball to Sabathia in Game 1 – and likely in Game 4, too. Sabathia could pitch in Games 1, 4 and 7 against the Angels while only having to take the ball on short rest in the middle start thanks to off-days.
“We’ll enjoy tonight and talk about it over the next couple days,” Girardi said. “You want to be able to throw your ace in the first game and now we can do that.”
I brought this up prior to the postseason, and seeing how important starting pitching was in the first round only convinced me further that pitching CC just once on short rest would be the right move. This is how it would break down:
ALCS
Gm 1 Fri Oct. 16 Sabathia (on full rest)
Gm 2 Sat Oct. 17 Burnett
Gm 3 Mon Oct. 19 Pettitte
Gm 4 Tue Oct. 20 Sabathia (on 3 days)
Gm 5* Thu Oct. 22 Burnett
Gm 6* Sat Oct. 24 Pettitte
Gm 7* Sun Oct. 25 Sabathia (on full rest)
I think CC can handle one game on short rest, as the Yankees gave him plenty of rest as the season came to a close and he is getting a week off before his next start. He has pitched very well in his 4 career short rest starts, and obviously has the body type to handle some extra work.
In the playoffs, you want to throw your best guys as often as possible. Pitching Chad Gaudin when CC is available would be silly, unless the Yankees have a 3-0 lead. In any other situation, CC should get the ball.
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14 Responses to CC Should Start 1, 4, and 7
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TIQ IQ
I like it, Moshe. That’s definitely preferable to throwing Gaudin out there.
Up 3-0 they probably rest CC but otherwise I agree. Now that Joba has showed us what he can do out of the Pen he will likely be there the rest of the post-season unless there is an injury (and of course there will be the raging debate all winter and spring as to where he belongs).
I doubt there will be debate inside the Yankee organization however, with out him you are stuck with what 3 and a half pitchers when you count Hughes having an inning count next year and the 3 is only if Pettitte comes back, what if we win the world series and he wants to retire on top… We have CC, AJ and Hughes on a inning count, no way Joba doesn’t start next year… I would bet my life on him starting the year in the rotation.
Acually, up 3-0 I might use CC. Shut the series down tight as soon as possible, and it lets us do what we want for the World Series.
My only reservation is how it sets things up for the World Series if CC is pitching game 7.
You want CC pitching game 7 no matter what else happens because if there is a game 7 and you don’t win then there is no world series to set up! Who do you trust more Sabathia or Burnett?
well CC does not need to go all out for the CG in that case in a game 7.
He could go as far as he can and then the bullpen takes over. if it is that critical, several of the regular starters could also get warmed up and pitched in an inning
The best part about our team is that no starting pitcher HAS to pitch a CG to win, thanks to Aceves, Joba, Hughes and Mo we can have starting pitchers go 6 in every game and it be enough, everything after 6 is just a treat.
pitching on short rest for these pitchers today almost always backfires.They end up losing, getting knocked out early, you kill your Bullpen and you don’t have that ace the next game well rested and ready to win.
one game, one starting performance that another guy with rest and adrenalin might win anyway means nothing.Very shortsighted to pitch with short rest when not under duress.
Except CC has done it and succeeded. He would be on regular rest the next time.
Sabathia has thrown less inning than he has in 2 years and the man is 6’7 300 pounds he can handle starting on 3 days rest in one game I say go for it, it’s the playoffs to quote Girardi “all hands on deck”.
CC has never succeeded in the playoffs before and a big part of that was overuse.
There’s a difference doing it in august and in OCtober.
I wouldn’t do it.I’ve been watching that stuff for a million years nad it fails so much more often than it succeeds and if it fails you’re cooked.
This isn’t Sandy Koufax who could actually do it but look what happened to him in the end.Didn’t pitch after 29.
Don’t blow a series by being greedy over one game.
Hope a guy pitches 6 innings and gives up 3-4 runs and you win anyway.That’s waht will probaBLy happen with your ACE ON SHORT REST ANYWAY.
6 inning and 3-4 runs on CC pitching 4 days is a worse case scenario in my mind and much better than the 4 or 5 innings 4-5 runs Gaudin gives up to the Angels starting a game 4… I say pitch him 1-4-7 and ensure a chance to win at least two of his starts and then you might not even see game 7.
I agree, use CC on 3 days rest. He showed in the past he can do it and be effective. However, I have never seen a Yankees pitcher perform well on 3 days.
..and pray there is no rain outs this weekend, that will really screw things up.
[...] Moshe over at The Yankee Universe pointed out, the Yankees can go with three starters in this series if they allow C.C. Sabathia to pitch on [...]