Joe Girardi’s Gamble with Andy Pettitte Pays Off
By starting Pettitte, who pitched 6 1/3 innings of three-run ball in New York’s Game 3 loss to the Angels, Girardi took a significant risk. If the veteran southpaw struggled and the Yankees couldn’t get to Joe Saunders, the series would have gone to a deciding Game 7 on Monday night, the momentum would have been in the Angels’ dugout, and Sabathia would have been forced to start.
That scenario had to be troubling for the pinstripes, because of the potential ramifications. Not only would Mike Scioscia have had the opportunity to bring back his ace, John Lackey, on short rest, but even if the Yankees won Game 7, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to set their rotation for the World Series. A.J. Burnett would have started Game 1 against Cliff Lee, and if Pettitte couldn’t go on three days’ rest in Game 2, Chad Gaudin — who last started a game on Sept. 28 — was the unattractive alternative.
Despite the potential consequences, Girardi opted to take the gamble with a 37-year-old left-hander on the verge of becoming the winningest pitcher in postseason history. And Pettitte delivered.
With three runs of support — all scored in the fourth inning – behind him, Pettitte went 6 1/3 innings once more. This time, though, he held the Angels’ dynamic lineup to just one run on seven hits and a walk, while striking out six en route to the win. It was the 16th playoff victory of Pettitte’s career, making him the all-time leader.
It also brought the Yankees back into the World Series for the first time since 2003 and gave Girardi the flexibility to arrange his rotation for the Fall Classic. Sabathia can now start Game 1 — and potentially Games 4 and 7, if necessary — enabling the rest of the rotation to fall into place.
With Lee — who now holds the record for the lowest postseason ERA by a pitcher with at least three starts at 0.74 — ready to go for the Phillies in the opener, Girardi’s ability to counter with his own ace could be pivotal.
Sabathia was named MVP of the ALCS on Sunday night, but it’s Pettitte’s effort in Game 6 that could be the X factor going forward.
