2011 MLB Playoffs: New York Yankees Season Riding on A.J. Burnett in ALDS Game 4

It's got to be one of the more ironic headlines of the entire 2011 MLB season. The New York Yankees will send A.J. Burnett to the mound, with all the disappointment and ineptitude of his tenure with the Bombers, and he now has their season on his shoulders.

Burnett will bring a disturbing 5.15 ERA into the most important game of the season and quite possibly the last. 

No, he hasn't lived up to his contract or been in the discussion as a relevant starter for the Yankees. He's about as dependable as a little-leaguer in this situation, making it hard to imagine he can get the job done.

That being said, it means nothing in this instance. All that matters is what happens on the mound for the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALDS.

There was doubt, by myself included, that Burnett would even make the playoff rotation for the Bombers. Now he finds himself with the burden of keeping the Yanks' season alive.

That's about as disturbing as his ERA.

You knew it had to happen eventually. Burnett, the most untrusted arm on the Yankees staff, would be thrust into a huge spot. That's what they got him for but that was then, this is now. With so few other options on their team, the Yankees are forced to use him.

The Yankees can only hope for a repeat of Game 2 of the 2009 World Series where Burnett looked like he would live up to his contract. It would erase about as much as you can from his ugly season and possibly restore a shred of faith back into Burnett.