Yanks can go with the Big Three in the ALCS, and not use a 4th starter

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Yanks can go with the Big Three in the ALCS, and not use a 4th starter

October 13, 2009 by Kevin Rozell

Sabathia-Burnett-Pettitte

The move to put Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen for the rest of the postseason, and have Chad Gaudin starting Game 4 is troubling some people. Statistically, Gaudin has been solid since joining the Yankees, but it’s hard to say how he will fare in a big game in the playoffs.

The way the Yankees ALCS schedule is situated, the team can avoid this question mark and have the option of using a fourth starter or not. This can work out by having Sabathia make one of the starts on three days rest. (second start of the ALCS)

I think it’s the right way to go about this. You can have three pitchers, who all lived up to their Game 1 expectations. You won’t have any question marks. You will also have your ace on the mound for 3 of 7 games.

It will go something like this:

Game 1, 10/16: CC Sabathia        (off day) 10/21
Game 2, 10/17: A.J. Burnett         Game 5, 10/22: Burnett
(off day) 10/18                                (off day), 10/23
Game 3:, 10/19: Andy Pettitte     Game 6, 10/24: Pettitte
Game 4, 10/20: Sabathia             Game 7, 10/25: Sabathia