Yanks Right To Go With 3-Man Rotation

Joe Girardi hinted today that the Yanks might opt to go with a three-man starting rotation of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte.

We’ll know soon if that’s the path Girardi chooses to go down for the series against LA, but I say RIGHT NOW that’s it’s the way to go.

I understand that the Yanks don’t necessarily want to show their hand and divulge their rotation too soon so that the Angels might glean some sort of advantage from that (never quite understood that, by the way. It reminds me of Eric Mangini and his paranoia while coaching the Jets).

But barring any weather issues expect the Yanks to go with CC in games 1, 4 and 7, AJ in 2 and 5, and Andy in 3 and 6.

To me, this is the obvious way to go.

You want your best guys to get the ball as often as possible. CC starting 3 games in this series is highly preferable to Joba or (dare I say) Chad Gaudin starting a game in the ALCS.

This move affords the Yankees the chance to keep Chamberlain in the bullpen, a spot he’s performed well in so far this postseason. On paper, Joba to Phil Hughes to Mariano is nasty (that combo was a little shaky during game two against the Twins, but still, gotta love it on paper).

Plus, CC seems ready to take on the workhorse role for this team. He’s done it famously in the past – with mixed results.

The Yankees clearly feel that this time he’s capable of pitching early and often. His innings were limited during the regular season just for this occasion.

One reason to worry, though – CC didn’t pitch very well against the Angels this season. In his two starts, Sabathia was 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA.

Food for thought, but it still doesn’t sway me to ditch the three-man rotation.

It gives the Yankees the best chance to advance to the World Series. And isn’t that what this is all about?

So CC will have a tired arm come November. Big deal. If he needs someone to come over and carve the Thanksgiving turkey I’ll volunteer my services.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle