Yankees: CC Sabathia is mad at the Red Sox for bunting

With the aid of his slider, CC Sabathia struck out six Red Sox batters over six innings to lift the Yankees to a much-needed 6-2 victory. Yet even after earning the W, he still wasn’t pleased.

Making his 250th career start for the Yankees, CC Sabathia continued his good fortune against the Red Sox, moving to 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 26 innings pitched against the AL East leaders this season.

Coming to the end of a 7-year/$161 million contract, Sabathia has turned back the clock in 2017, going 11-5 with a 3.71 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 2.4 WAR.

At this stage in his long successful career, injuries to his lower back and knees have played a major part in zapping Sabathia of his once high-90s fastball. In fact, should Sabathia finish with his current 7.1 SO/9, it would be his lowest such number since way back in 2004 (6.7).

But perhaps now, Sabathia is smarter on the mound than ever before — allowing his secondary slider, sinker, changeup and cutter to keep hitters off-balance.

Whether or not the Yankees are interested in bringing back Sabathia for a 10th year in pinstripes remains to be seen, but it’s almost official that the one team he won’t be signing with next season is the Boston Red Sox.

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After spending 10 days on the disabled list due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, Sabathia, the six-time All-Star was none-too-pleased to see Eduardo Nunez bunt on him in the top of the first inning on Thursday night.

Sabathia, who was slow to get off the mound, wildly threw to first base, before walking the next two batters. Luckily, CC rebounded to strike out both Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers to escape the first frame.

Following the win, which moved the Yanks within 4.5 games of first place, Sabathia let his disdain for all-things Sox related fly towards ESPN.com.

"“It is kind of weak to me,” Sabathia said. “It is what it is. It just shows what they got over there.”"

Nunez, who once upon a time shared a locker room with Sabathia for parts of four seasons, reportedly apologized to Sabathia during the game — though, I’m not sure why.

"“It’s my game. I cannot change my game,” Nunez said. “We know he has a bad knee, but it’s not my problem. I can’t change my game. I have to try bunting.”“If I have to bunt four times in a row, I’ll do it,” Nunez said. “I don’t care if he’s mad or not. That’s what it is. I have to compete, and he has to figure it out. Play in. Or field the ball. I don’t care.”"

When reporters told this to the disgruntled southpaw, Sabathia’s response was even more confrontational.

"“I’m out there early every day, if they have something to say, we can meet in centerfield.”"

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Dating back to last September, Sabathia has won five straight decisions against the Sox.

So even if he did overreact out of fear for his rubber band knee, at least this latest episode shows there’s still plenty of fire in the tank to push Sabathia towards the win column.