CC Sabathia asked to pick up Yankees once again
The Yankees will look to stay undefeated at home this postseason, as CC Sabathia takes on the Astros’ Charlie Morton in Game 3 of the ALCS.
In pretty unbelievable fashion, the Yankees have yet to win a playoff game this calendar year that hasn’t been an elimination game. Obviously, this bunch of Bombers responds well to the pressure of no tomorrow, but enough is enough already!
With that being said, the Yanks will once again turn to their most reliable postseason arm, 37-year-old, CC Sabathia. Since coming to the Bronx in 2009, the Yanks have won 11 of the big lefty’s 15 playoff starts.
Sabathia, the 16-year veteran, will once again look to prove his worth heading into an offseason where he’ll likely be seeking his final contract. For those who feel he’s already done enough this season to warrant at least a one-year deal, I agree.
His 9.2 innings pitched through two playoff starts have yet to earn him a victory, but Sabathia has held the opposition to four earned runs and a .216 batting average while amassing a 14:3 K:BB ratio.
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Not bad for a former power pitcher turned finesse artist with balky knees and a tender lower back.
With only two teams ever to rebound from multiple 0-2 deficits in postseason history (’81 Dodgers and ’85 Royals), should Sabathia pitch the way he did against the Indians in the ALDS, there’d be little doubt of one more go-around for him in pinstripes.
Though it’s safe to say Sabathia will need some sort of run support to secure a lead in Game 3, CC told NJ.com that he doesn’t want Aaron Judge or Gary Sanchez to get too down on themselves. The pair are hitting a combined .176 with a .236 on-base percentage in 72 postseason at-bats.
“These kids are mature, you don’t have to say much to them,” Sabathia said. “We just go out and stay the course and try to win the ballgame.”
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Since Sabathia hasn’t thrown more than 80 pitches in a game since Sept. 11, expect the bullpen to be up and ready at the first sign of trouble.