Making The Call: Give CC The Ball

Joe Girardi has managed the ALCS erratically from pulling relievers at odd times to leaving starters in too long. But one thing he got right was starting CC Sabathia on three-days rest for Game 4, a move that worked out perfectly and put the Yankees in control of this series. And that is why he should turn to a fully rested Sabathia tonight to try and put the Yankees back into the World Series for the first time in six years.

The rain last night has created this opportunity and it is one the Yankees should seize. Sabathia was their best pitcher all year and he has been amazing so far in the playoffs, winning all three of his starts while compiling a miniscule ERA. He gives the Yankees the best chance to win and that is all that matters at this point.

The argument against using him is that pitching tonight revolves around the World Series. The Yankees are hoping that Andy Pettitte pitches them into the Series and CC Sabathia starts Game 1. That is the best scenario, but consider what would happen if Pettitte lost tonight. Sabathia would have to pitch in Game 7, probably against the Angels’ ace, John Lackey, and would then be unable to pitch in the World Series until Game 3.

Furthermore, Pettitte would not be available in Game 1 of the Series and, since he pitched tonight, the Yankees would have to decide between starting him in Game 2 on short rest or pitching Chad Gaudin.

That’s why a win tonight is imperative and why Sabathia is the guy who should get the ball.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Peter Trinkle in News on October 25, 2009 3:13 PM

Comments [rss]

John_Matrix

yankees win the alcs tonight. even swisher will get a hit. without the rally monkey and their home field's feng shui feature, the angels will fold like a folding thing.

marcasm

Pettitte deserves to pitch tonight. He was prepared mentally to pitch yesterday and probably more so today. I say give him the ball.

DanielJ

Petitte has been lights out all postseason. This is when he's most in his element- Home game, high drama, slight chill in the air: October Baseball. Give Pettitte the ball tonight and let him do what he's done his whole career.

mdow

I'm more in favor of Pettitte tonight and hoping they win tonight so CC is good for game one. Pettitte seems riskier, true, but the payoff of having him win tonight and having CC ready for games 1, 4, and 7 (god forbid) in the series is worth it. Pettitte's been in these games before and has an ERA under 2 in clinching games, so it's not as though he's just going to go out there and shit his pants because of the pressure. Having CC ready just in case there's a game tomorrow is reassuring, but they need to win tonight and have CC ready for game 1, in place to remind the Phillies what good pitching looks like, since they haven't seen it since some time in September.

jaycjay

"having CC ready for games 1, 4, and 7 (god forbid) in the series is worth it"

Exactly. The team still has two chances to win this series, but anything could happen in the next one.

Dead Himmler

Not to mention starting CC tonight would send the message that the Yankees are panicking.

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

If they need CC to bag 3 out of 4 to win the AL for the entire team, the Yankees have problems.

redhookreject

what's it matter, the Phils are going to paint this city RED.

jaycjay

The problem with that approach is that it assumes that CC pitching tonight guarantees a win -- which it certainly does not.

So if the Yankees lose, Pettitte pitches the deciding game. If they win that (against, as you say, the Angels' ace), you go the Series with essentially the same situation you're worrying about above: Burnett and Gaudin being the only two rested starters. Sure, you can go again with Sabathia on short rest, but as was seen last year that's not necessarily a well you can keep going to indefinitely.

The important point is that you have to win this series before you can play the next, so do what's best to get to that next step before dealing with it. Starting Pettite tonight means if they lose, CC pitches the most important game of the post season so far tomorrow. If they win, he's positioned to start Game 1 in the Series. Either way, the way it should be.

By the way, show the big guy some respect. He's made it very clear that he prefers his name to be spelled "CC" not "C.C."

Peter Trinkle

I wasn't aware of that, but thanks for pointing it out and I have changed the spelling.

jaycjay

Well after searching and re-reading now what he said it doesn't seem like as strong an expression of preference as I remembered: "I guess I'd go no periods."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-07-07-280840928_x.htm?csp=34