Which Series Do You Choose?

by jscape2000 on Sep 24, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Two weeks ago, I projected the Yankees' playoff rotation to show how the team could get by with 3 starters until the World Series.

ALDS A				ALDS B
Game	Starter	Date	Days Rest	Game	Starter	Date	Days Rest
1	CC	7	4+	1	CC	8	4+
2	AJ	9	4+	2	AJ	9	4+
3	Andy	11	4+	3	Andy	11	4+
4	CC	12	4	4	CC	12	3
5	AJ	14	4	5	AJ	14	4

ALCS
Game	Starter	Date	Days Rest
1	CC	16	3
2	Andy	17	5
3	AJ	19	4
4	CC	20	3
5	Andy	22	4
6	AJ	24	4
7	CC	25	4

With the Yanks reshuffling the rotation to give CC and Andy an extra day of rest between their starts, I have to think that they're thinking what I'm thinking. We can rely on the big man, so long as we treat him right.

Last year, CC through 5 consecutive starts on short rest. He was brilliant, but then he was gassed for the Division Series. In 2007, the Indians rode him hard to the end of the season, so he had little left to throw at the Yankees and Red Sox.

So how do you feel, Yankee fans? Which series leads more clearly to the Championship Series? In the longer series, do you accept the risk of Verlander twice in exchange for throwing your own ace?

Poll

Which ALDS series suits the Yankees best?

The short series

170 votes

The longer series

273 votes

443 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Long Series...

I would choose the longer series to give the starters regular rest. The Yanks may need to short rest CC/AJ/Andy later in the post season. So, giving them their regular rest early makes that not such a bad thing.

As far as choosing the long or short series based on what the opposing team may want, I do not care. The Yanks should choose based on what is best for their team.

by ficktdichjoe on Sep 24, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

I would much rather have

Joba spot start than see Andy go on 4 days off and blow his arm up.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Sep 24, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

I think that we should chose the longer series

but we also have to remember, if we play Detroit, that means that 4 or the 5 games are potentially against Verlander and Jackson, which is every bit as dangerous as CC and AJ. But, I think it gives us a better chance to go further in the playoffs if we don’t start guys on short rest right away.

Facial LaFleur, total facial.

by Lord Duggan on Sep 24, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

Long Series

A few points:

—Jackson has run out of gas (or reverted to form), Verlander is the only real threat in the Tiger rotation.

— I think we avoid 3 days rest if at all possible. While CC did it last year, it introduces a new variable that we don’t need in October. Therefore I go with the long series.

— There are other variables too. In the ALCS if we are up 3-0 (or even 2-1) we will probably use Joba or Gaudin in game 4. However if we are down, clearly it should be CC. Also if we win the first series, how quickly we win will affect the rotation in the ALCS, particularly if AJ doesn’t need to make a second start.

by stusviews on Sep 24, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Sweep the ALDS and it doesn't matter :)

I’d still opt for ALDS A – otherwise you risk burning everyone out by the midpoint of the ALCS.

Detroit may not have Verlander on normal rest in the A series (he’d be on 3 days rest) as he’s likely to pitch 10/3 - depending on how their series with the Twins works out next week.

Another reason to favor the A series vs the B series.

by detroit yankee on Sep 24, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions