New York Yankees Likely Going With a Three-Man Rotation in ALDS

Via the NY Post:

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If you listened closely enough between manager Joe Girardi’s lines yesterday, it was easy to believe the Yankees will use three starters in the ALDS.

And that’s fine with CC Sabathia, the only starter who would be affected by short rest.

While Girardi said a final decision won’t be made until today when he meets with his staff, scouts and general manager Brian Cashman at Yankee Stadium, Girardi’s code words leave a trail.

“(Three starters) is something we will discuss,” Girardi said before the Yankees dropped an 8-4 loss to the Red Sox and became the AL Wild Card representative.

"

This may be big-time reading between the lines, but I have to agree with George King on this one. After all, the Yankees don’t have a clear-cut starter they would go with in the fourth spot and to risk losing simply because you don’t want to lean on your ace would be dumb.

That would set CC to start Game 1 and Game 4 (on short rest). Andy Pettitte will likely go in Game 2 and Game 5 (on regular rest). Phil Hughes will probably get the ball in Game 3.

The Yankees are likely to need a Game 4 starter in the ALCS if they get that far. They went with a three-man rotation all through the playoffs last season, but there are fewer days off this time around, preventing them from doing that.

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