reason that we really need 4 pitchers? I feel confident that with extra rest leading up to the series, we can count on CC for game 4. After all 3ER over 19 innings for starters… why add another variable?

Gaudin (5), Aceves (2), Joba or Phil (1), Mo (1). Done.

It’s ridiculous that we’re even still having this debate.

Gaudin and Joba are about equal as starters…Joba on his best day is much better than Gaudin…the problem is he’s so much less consistent that we might get 3 IP 7 R or 6 IP, 2 R. With Gaudin it’s mediocrity, but it’s consistent mediocrity. On average, you expect the same mediocre outcome (Gaudin has 3 QS since Aug 1, Joba 2, even if you extrapolate his 3 IP performance to 6 IP), but a bad day by Joba will completely take the team out of the game.

Gaudin and Joba are NOT equal as relievers. Joba has shown again this year that when you put him in the pen his velocity and focus increase. Gaudin would be just as mediocre in the pen as his is a starter.

The best solution is Gaudin for 3-5 IP, Ace for 2-3 IP, then Joba, Hughes, Mo. That’s the formula for success so far, as long as Girardi doesn’t yank Joba before we know if we’ll need Hughes or Mo in extra innings (which he’s been doing).

would it mean that AJ and Andy would have to too?

so AJ and Andy would be on regular rest as would CC for a game 7. I think this means 3 starters.

Give him 80 pitches depending on how close the game is.

tickets for game five in Anaheim and would like to see him clinch it.

I vote for Gaudin. He’s looked alright in his last few starts. He seems to be good for 2 times through the order, the they lay off his slider and start to get to him. However, the Yanks are down 2-1 or 3-0 you have to go with CC.

I think the Yankees will definitely go with a 3-man rotation in the ALCS because the only start that would be on short rest is CC in game 4. AJ would pitch game 5 on full rest, Pettitte game 6 full rest and CC game 7 full rest. Couple that with the fact that C.C.‘s first start of the series will be on 8 days rest and it’s pretty much a no-brainer.

CC on four days rest more than I trust a fully rested Gaudin. Even if CC only gets 80 pitches in game four (more likely they let him go a full start with no pitch limit), Gaudin is usually only good for 90 and 80 from CC is better that 90 from Gaudin.

Chamberlain. He’s never started a playoff, the experience would be good for him. It might help in the 2010 playoffs. We all know the plan, he’s a SP going forward and this postseason might be the last time he ever, or for a very long time, pitches out of the bullpen. Otherwise, I vote for CC.

From today’s N.Y. Times:

The Yankees will start C. C. Sabathia in Game 1, and with Joba Chamberlain entrenched in short relief, they could bring back Sabathia on short rest for Game 4. Because of scheduled days off between Games 4, 5 and 6, Sabathia could then pitch on regular rest in a potential Game 7.

But Sabathia lost both of his starts against the Angels this season, allowing 9 earned runs and 17 hits in 13 1/3 innings. He is 5-7 with a 4.72 earned run average in 14 career starts against the Angels…

Let’s see how well he does in Game 1 before calling this one. No need for Girardi to decide now.

you’re willing to say now that C.C. on 3 days rest is better than a rested Gaudin? Maybe, But since there’s no need to commit now one way or the other, why not wait and see how things develop? If C.C. is lights out on Friday – or even if he’s merely effective – then it becomes a no-brainer.

i know this is usually only used in the 7th game but is there any reason why girardi can’t, say… pitch gaudin for 3 innings, aceves for 3 innings, joba for 1, hughes for 1, and rivera for 1? or should anyone fail, just bring in coke or anyone else form our awesome bullpen?

just a thought