CC Sabathia serves as an organic counter-argument to the notion that a three-man rotation, reliant upon four possible short-rest performances from its three starters, does not work in the World Series. In Game 1 against the Phillies, Sabathia pitched well and, in Game 4, to everyone’s surprise (well, not really), he also pitched well. Basically, despite performing on short-rest, Sabathia pitched as he normally does, rewarding Joe Girardi’s confidence in an abbreviated rotation.
However, thanks to A.J. Burnett’s memorable Game 5 implosion (6 ER over 2 IP), the three-man rotation, which seemed like a good idea after Sabathia’s outing, has suddenly become a bleak proposition. Pitchers are often billed as creatures of habit, therefore, to break that habit’s particulars and start a pitcher on short-rest seems like an outwardly destructive decision. Yet, I ask, in the end, isn’t effective pitching the simple result, not necessarily of an extra day’s rest, but of individual execution, as CC Sabathia demonstrated in Game 4 (and, as he had done during the ALCS)? If all starters are doomed to fail on short-rest, then how, exactly, did Sabathia buck a fixed trend and perform so admirably?
Those who disagree with the three-man plan will argue that Sabathia is an altogether different animal. With a massive 290 lb. frame, he is, according to them, built for extra work on short-rest. He is nothing like the unpredictable arm of A.J. Burnett or the aged and often fatigued arm of Andy Pettitte. To the dejected detractors of the three-man rotation, Sabathia’s body is an outlier that explains everything. However, when you truly reflect upon that notion, that Sabathia’s buxom body is somehow behind his short-rested success, you quickly come to the realization that such an argument is entirely nonsensical. Sabathia pushes the 300 lb. envelope. In essence, he defies the logic of physicality with his remarkable endurance. He shouldn’t be as good as he is on short-rest (both Burnett and Pettitte appear to be in better shape), however, he is and will likely be that good in a potential Game 7. Now, why is that the case?
In one word—execution, plain and simple. Pitchers either execute or they don’t. A.J. Burnett simply failed to execute in Game 5. It was something we have seen him do (or not do) throughout the year. He wasn’t the unfortunate victim of rest deprivation. If Andy Pettitte pitches well tonight, or if he pulls a Kevin Brown, it will be because of pitch execution. Ultimately, an extra day of rest will have little do with it.
Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
4 Responses to In the end, it's up to the pitchers to execute
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
meanwhile, kinda lost in all the drama and everything of the series is the fact that….well, is this probably andy’s final start of his career? what a way to go out if it is. he came back to play in the new stadium and hopefully win one more ring, well, he can do both tonight.
I actually highly doubt that… He has hinted that he wants to pitch at least another year and he said if he feels good after the season and the Yankees want him he would probably come back. The Yankees not only want him but need him (unless they want to overpay for Lackey) and I think he is still enjoying playing and has proved he can still produce on a high level. I look for him to be back next year with a slight pay raise.
If the game was tomorrow at 1pm Pettitte would be pitching on normal rest and no one would say a word. Look at it this way, he is pitching just 17 hours earlier. 17 hours earlier shouldn’t make that much of a difference. It’s all in your head Andy. Just throw your arm out. Give us a Jack Morris moment.
I really don’t think someone of Andy’s status gets in his own head, he seems to block all that out when he goes on the mound, it’s one of the things that has made him good for so long.