The Yankees went with C.C. Sabathia in Game 4 on only three days of rest and will do the same with Burnett in Game 5. In Game 2, Burnett pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out nine batters.

While most major league pitchers struggle on only three days of rest, Burnett actually has a good history in this situation. In four starts on short rest, he has a 2.33 ERA and earned a win in each of the four contests.

The Phillies will counter with Cliff Lee. Lee, who won Game 1, has been amazing in the playoffs so far. He has a 0.54 ERA in four starts in the playoffs. In Game 1, he went nine innings and didn’t allow an earned run.

AJ Burnett will start Game 5 (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

A.J. Burnett to Start in Game 5

Nope. Not this time, at least.

The Yankees have to be thrilled with what their money was able to buy them in the offseason. Even though C.C. Sabathia lost Game 1 of the World Series, he was fantastic in his first three postseason start. Plus, there will likely be plenty of time in this World Series for Sabathia to bounce back.

Mark Teixeira earned many of his millions in Game 2. With the Yankees down 1-0 in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies and staring at an 0-2 deficit in the World Series, Teixeira hit a solo shot in the fourth inning to tie the game. His homer seemed to lower the pressure and allow the Yankees to swing with more confidence.

On the mound in Game 2, A.J. Burnett was tremendous. He went seven innings while giving up only one earned run and striking out nine batters. If Burnett gets another start, the Yankees will be confident in his ability to deliver a win.

CC Sabathia has been worth his big contract (Image: Zuma Press)

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Yankees Offseason Spending Spree Paying Off

On the mound, C.C. Sabathia was very good. He pitched 6.2 innings and gave up only one earned run while striking out eight batters. The relievers allowed only one more hit the rest of the way.

At the plate, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez led the way. Jeter was 2-for-2 with three runs, two RBIs and two walks. Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs.

For the Twins, it’s been an emotional week. A day after winning a tiebreaker against the Detroit Tigers that went to extra innings, the Twins had to begin their postseason play. After taking a 2-0 lead over the Yankees, it seemed as if Minnesota ran out of gas.

The two teams play again on Friday. AJ Burnett will start for the Yankees, while the Twins will go with Nick Blackburn.

Derek Jeter and the Yankees got off to a good start (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Yankees Drop Twins in Game 1

On Saturday, Sabathia was fantastic as the Yankees beat the hated Boston Red Sox by a final count of 2-0. In seven innings, Sabathia gave up only one hit while striking out eight batters to improve his record on the season to 19-7 and lower his ERA to 3.21.

The runs for the Yankees were accumulated thanks to a solo homer by Robinson Cano in the sixth inning and a two-run single by Johnny Damon in the eighth. Mariano Rivera closed out the contest to pick up his 43rd save of the 2009 baseball season.

The Yankees and Red Sox battle again on Sunday. Another win by the Yankees and New York will officially clinch the American League East division title.

CC Sababthia has lived up to expectations (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

CC Sabathia Wins 19th as Yanks Beat Sox

Here are our 2009 MLB power rankings as of June 1st:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Even without the suspended Manny Ramirez, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best team in baseball. They aren’t quite as good without Ramirez but they have a good shot to hold onto their National League leading record.

2. Texas Rangers
Are the Rangers for real? It’s difficult to tell for sure. The fact that their bats are hot isn’t the story. The real story is that their pitching finally appears to be decent, which is bad news for the rest of baseball.

3. New York Yankees
All the millions the Yankees handed out this summer appear to be paying off. Mark Teixeira is hitting well and C.C. Sabathia has become the ace. Once Alex Rodriguez really heats up, the Yankees will be tough to beat.

C.C. Sabathia seems to be worth the money (Image: Newscom)

4. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies aren’t getting any help from their starting pitchers and their bullpen has been shaky (especially closer Brad Lidge), they have only lost four times in their last 16 games. Once their pitching becomes decent, watch out!

5. Boston Red Sox
Like the Phillies, the Red Sox are winning despite their starting pitching. However, with John Smoltz getting closer and closer to returning and a strong bullpen, Boston appears to be in good shape to make the playoffs.

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 MLB Power Rankings – June Edition

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (Image: Newscom)

In 4.1 innings of work, Sabathia gave up eight hits and six earned runs, while walking six batters and not striking out anyone. After shutting out the Orioles over the first two innings, the hefty hurler gave up three earned runs in the bottom of the third and three earned runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Sabathia wasn’t the only high priced bust on opening day. Mark Teixeira, who signed a $180 million deal with the Yankees in the offseason, was 0-4 at the plate and left five runners on base.

For the Orioles, Adam Jones went 3-for-3 with two walks, three runs and two RBIs. Nick Markakis went 2-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Jeremy Guthrie got the win by allowing three earned runs over six innings.

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CC Sabathia Hammered in Debut with Yankees

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (Image: Newscom)

Sabathia split the 2008 season between the Cleveland Indians and the Milwaukee Brewers. After becoming a free agent during the offseason, the hefty left-hander had many suitors. When it came time to make a decision, Sabathia decided to sign with the Yankees for $161 million over seven years.

Although Sabathia got off to an extremely slow start last year with the Indians, he shined after being traded to the Brewers. In his 17 starts with Milwaukee, the California native was 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. For his career, Sabathia has a 117-73 record and an ERA of 3.66.

The Yankees play their first nine games of the 2009 Major League Baseball season on the road before breaking in their new $1.6 billion stadium on April 16th against the Cleveland Indians.

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CC Sabathia Starting Openers for Yankees

Juiced Sports Blog is reporting that in the trade, Taylor Green was in the package for the Indians. He’s 21, out of Cypress College in California, and was selected in the 25th round in the 2005 draft. He batted .327, had 14 home runs, and 86 RBI’s in the 2007 season. Along with him, the Indians will be adding left fielder Matt LaPorta and pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson.

With C.C. Sabathia in Milwaukee, this could make the race for the NL Central a bit more interesting. They, like St. Louis, are 3.5 games back of Chicago. Hey, the Reds are only 7 games behind them in the standings! This will definitely make for an interesting race for the NL Central. Not including the Reds of course. But maybe…..a girl can dream, can’t she?

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So About That C.C. Sabathia Character