AJ Burnett isn’t all bad, after all. Dig this from Chad Jennings:
“It would be silly for Hughesy not to start,” said Burnett.
…“Joe’s the best manager I ever played for…He’s done more for me this year probably than any manager has ever done. He cares about me as a person and as a player. I’ll be down in that pen and be ready to get one out or two outs or whatever I’ve got to do for him.”
Cliff breaks down the line ups for the ALDS like only he can.
And Steve Goldman’s always droppin’ science:
Andy Pettitte starts Game 2: This isn’t necessarily a bad decision, because if healthy, Pettitte is a terrific, experienced pitcher who any team would like to have on the mound in a tight spot. That said, foregoing the opportunity to let Phil Hughes pitch before Target Field’s wall of wind (“The Air Monster?”) seems like an error.
…Greg Golson makes the postseason roster: This is not a bad call as Golson can play defense, pinch-run, and swing at a southpaw in an emergency. Hopefully, Joe Girardi can remember not to make moves with Golson that he wouldn’t have made during the regular season. Otherwise, Golson will pinch-run for Nick Swisher in the fourth inning of some game and then end up getting three at-bats.
[Picture by Chris Giarrusso]
Send him in for a big bat, never actually have him run, and end the inning with him standing on first?
Oh, god. If he makes any "moves" with Golson I'll have a hard time containing my bile. If I could decide right now that the only moves Girardi is allowed to make are bullpen moves, I'd do it in a heartbeat. (I guess that includes PH-ing for pitchers in the Series, knock on wood. But no knock on Wood.)
Quick Trivia Question:
Who were the TOP 3 Yankees in RS/PA?
(thats Runs Scored per Plate Appearence)
You must have a thing for Beta Ray Bill. he does kind of look like Burnett I guess.
I can't bear to watch AJ pitch, and that Little League move in the second game on Saturday of him arguing with the ump while a run scored just about put me into orbit. But I'll give him credit about being a stand-up guy about how much he sucks this season and being a good teammate.