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So what does the highest profile member of the “I’m Behind CC and Nova Club” think of not knowing when or if he will pitch for the Yankees in the upcoming ALDS?
“It is what it is,” A.J. Burnett said before last night’s game against the Red Sox was rained out and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader tomorrow. The first game will be at 1 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. “We all have to be ready for when they make their decision.”
CC Sabathia will start Game 1 and Ivan Nova, a 24-year-old rookie with 16 wins, is likely to start Game 2.
Because manager Joe Gi rardi is leaning toward a three-man rotation, that means Sabathia would throw Game 4 on three days rest and Nova would get the ball if a deciding Game 5 is re quired.
That leaves Game 3 open for Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Phil Hughes or Burnett.
Based on the way Colon is closing the season, with his velocity declining and Thursday’s nightmare against the Rays when he was spanked for seven runs (five earned) and seven hits in three innings, he is the longest shot.
Girardi chose to highlight everything but the two homers Adam Lind hit Sunday, but the veteran right-hander hasn’t won since Aug. 29 and has posted a 10.95 ERA in the past three starts when he has allowed 21 hits and six walks in 12 1/3 innings.
Hughes, who is scheduled to make a start in St. Petersburg, Fla., this week, hasn’t pitched since Sept. 12 because of a bulging disc that required an epidural shot, is a big question mark.
This leaves Burnett and as bad as the second half has been, he might be the slight favorite.
“I am not biased at all. Bartolo and Freddy have been awesome throughout the year,” Burnett said. “I have been a good at times. We understand all that.”
Asked if Burnett could get an ALDS start, something he wasn’t going to get last year even if the Yankees didn’t sweep the Twins in three, Girardi left the door open for any arm in the room.
“Anyone can get a start in the ALDS,” Girardi said. “I will continue to evaluate. A lot depends on who we will play.”
In three starts from Sept. 1 to Sept. 13, Burnett had shown improvement from the hurler who was punished by the anemic Twins and Orioles on Aug. 20 and Aug. 26.
Nevertheless, that uptick took a hit this past Monday when the Twins rocked him for four runs and nine hits (two homers) in four innings.
Burnett, who is scheduled to start tomorrow, said he knows he will be evaluated off of what goes on during his start. Nevertheless, the suspect numbers (10-11; 5.28 ERA) aren’t going to suddenly vanish.
“My numbers aren’t going to change [tomorrow],” Burnett said. “It’s about getting comfortable as I can and run with it. I want to be consistent all the way to the end.”