Do we put a lot of stock on Joba's performance when he bounds out of the bullpen Sunday afternoon? Yes and no. Mostly, no.
You'd tend to worry less about Chamberlain as a short reliever than as a No. 4 starter in a short series, and it's still difficult for us to believe that - unless he is too fouled up mechanically - the Yanks would leave such a live arm on the cutting room floor.
But Chad Gaudin keeps making his case. The manager likes Dave Robertson a lot, and he likes the option of two lefties. Bruney's on the fence. Maybe they press it to 11 pitchers, but it's probably 10. Tough call.
As with CC, you'd expect Andy Pettitte to get past this clunker. He was typically hard on himself, but unlike CC, who is going on regular rest, Pettitte could pitch again Friday or Sunday. Though it's a long way off, we think he goes in Game 3 on the road.
Yes, the prospect of Carl Pavano saving the Twins season drew some odd looks around the clubhouse, but if the Twins fail, the Yankees only have themselves to blame. Remember all those walk-off wins vs. the Twins? The Yanks were 7-0 vs. Minny this year, and every game but one was decided by two runs or less.
Finally, Molina will catch A.J. tomorrow, and, we suspect, in whatever playoff game Burnett starts. If he isn't DH'ing Sunday, Posada will have the option to be Manager for a Day, Girardi said.
If Joba pitches lights out today, why wouldn't it be a big deal? If he turns out to be more capable coming out of the pen, then I think he loses his rotation spot to Gaudin.
Posted by: Rob A from BBD | October 04, 2009 at 11:09 AM
That's always a possibility. They seem to like Gaudin.
Posted by: Caldera | October 04, 2009 at 02:43 PM