CLUELESS JOE LETS THE PHILLIES OFF THE MAT

My Girardi-loving sons have been responsible for recent posts on this site praising the efforts of the Yankee manager.  I shall now inject a note of rationality into their fantasy land.

Girardi is a lousy manager, and he proved it tonight.  Against all logic, he chose to start AJ Burnett on short rest.  And predictably, Burnett imploded, yielding 6 runs in 2+ innings and facilitating an easy Phillie victory.

Let’s review.  The Yankees were up 3 games to 1.  They were facing the Phillie’s ace, Cliff Lee, the one pitcher who has shut them down this postseason,  at the Phillies’ home park.  Burnett has no history of successfully pitching on 3 days rest.

Girardi could have gone with Chad Gaudin.   Perhaps Gaudin would have been bad (he has barely pitched this month).  Maybe he too would have given up 6 runs in two innings.

But then Girardi would have had Burnett at home, where he has had great success, on full rest, and against ancient Pedro Martinez.  Now Pedro has pitched well this post season, but he is not Cliff Lee.  Under that scenario, the Yankees would have had a big advantage.

Instead, they will now have Andy Pettitte for Game 6, again on only 3 days rest.  Andy is a gamer, but he has a history of not being able to pitch on three days rest.  At his age, a strong performance is unlikely.

Which may well bring the Yankees to Game 7 and CC Sabathia.  CC would appear to give the Yankees a big advantage, but CC too will be pitching on 3 days rest, his third outing in eight days.  He is certainly capable of handling this kind of load, but the past two years he has broken down in the playoffs because of overwork.  Against him the Phillies will throw Cole Hamels on full rests.  Now Hamels has been bad this year, but he has pitched the phils to a championship in the past, and he may use Game 7 to redeem himself.

The Yankees had a lock on this Series.  If they blow it, Girardi will be directly responsible.  Once again, he will have shown that he panics in the clutch.  We can only hope the Yankees will overcome their manager’s incompetence.

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