Yankees vs. Tigers: A.J. Burnett Will Fail for New York Yankees Again

With the Detroit Tigers leading the American League Divisional Series 2-1, the New York Yankees are sending sure-fire stud A.J. Burnett to the mound.

Or something like that.

The Yankees are on the verge of elimination in the first round of the 2011 MLB Playoffs, and their season is hinged on a starter that had a 5.15 ERA this season and went a meager 11-11.

Not only has Burnett been terrible all season, he has proven to be one of the worst signings in the history of the Yankees franchise.

While all seems lost for the Yankees, there are still some fans and columnists who believe that there is a chance Burnett’s lack of talent can be overcome.

NBC Hardball Talk writer Craig Calcaterra makes an excellent point about the fact that it could be worse for the pinstripes:

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“Given the anxiety A.J. Burnett has instilled in the Yankee Universe these past couple of years, yes, the talk of impending doom for tonight’s game is justified, But let’s not pretend that it’s just the Yankees relying on a wobbly starter in a big playoff game. [Rick] Porcello is no one’s idea of an ace, and the Yankees’ slumbering bats could very well get to him. As such, it’s about the best circumstances under which one can run old A.J. out there.”

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I never thought of it that way, bit if I were a Yankees fan, I would still be terrified!

This man has been one of the most inconsistent players over the last two seasons, and his mental weakness has gotten him into jams that his team couldn’t get him out of.

While that’s one thing in the regular season, Burnett has the team on his back, and past history has shown that he doesn’t do well in that situation.

As if his numbers weren’t bad enough, Burnett’s ERA in the playoffs rises up to 5.67 with just one win in six starts.

It’s going to be like the Fourth of July in New York come tomorrow, and the fireworks will be on the front page of every major paper in New York City.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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