The Yankees are back in the postseason. They’re just not sure what they’ll be called when they get there.
Last night’s 6-1 win over Toronto wrapped up the Bombers’ second straight postseason berth, but there’s still plenty to play for through the next four games. The Yankees remained a half game back of Tampa Bay in the AL East after the Rays also clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Orioles. The AL?East winner will likely face the Rangers in the American League Division Series, while the loser of the race will take the wild card and meet the Twins, who own the best home record in the AL.
Questions still remain about potential opponents, as well as the pitching rotation after you get past CC Sabathia, who threw 81/3 innings last night. They Yankees are still not sure how sharp Andy Pettitte will be in the postseason. The veteran left-hander missed three months with a strained groin and will likely have his scheduled start today pushed back so he can rest.
Then there’s the wildly inconsistent A.J. Burnett, who is just 1-7 with 6.98 ERA since August.
“I don’t need to prove [anything]. He saw what I did last year in the postseason,” Burnett said referring to manager Joe Girardi. “Everybody says the season doesn’t matter here and postseason does, so there you go. He makes the decisions, I just want the ball whenever he gives it to me.”
Girardi awarded Burnett the ball for the second games of last year’s ALDS, ALCS and World Series. He still could get the ball for Game 2 of this year’s ALDS, but after allowing seven runs in 21/3 innings Monday, Burnett might have to show more this weekend in Boston.
“He was big for us in the playoffs last year,” said Girardi, who obviously has some decisions to make over the next week.
