Yankees vs. Tigers: Do Fans Owe A.J. Burnett an Apology After ALDS Game 4?

Well, don't we all feel better about A.J. Burnett than we did four hours ago?

Burnett, with the help of his offense, helped the Yankees stave off elimination in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers. The series will go back to the Bronx for a deciding Game 5.

Despite the terrible season he's had, there was still an eerie feeling that Burnett could come through in this crucial spot. It wasn't as though there was zero confidence in Burnett to get a win, but it certainly didn't come easy.

In the first inning, Burnett looked like, well Burnett. He was all over the place, walking three batters and getting bailed out after Curtis Granderson almost misplayed what turned out to be a great play. It looked like it might be a long night.

After the tumultuous first inning, Burnett settled down, retiring the next inning in order and gained his rhythm from there. Burnett went 5.2 innings, one run on four hits and four strikeouts. Such a small contribution made a world of difference in the Yankees season going back home for another game.

The Bombers offense broke through in the eighth inning, scoring six runs amongst hits and mistakes by the Tigers. It was by far the best showing by the Yankees offense in this series with everyone in the lineup getting a piece.

The words, "Burnett looks great" actually came out of my mouth and a strange feeling came over me. I think it was confidence in Burnett, a confidence Yankees fans haven't felt in quite some time. After a season-long stink fest by Burnett, he finally did what the Yankees paid him to do.

It has been a long, disappointing and overly-frustrating year in 2011 for Burnett.

So should you be remorseful to Burnett, considering how badly every Yankee fan and baseball person in general has spoken about him? Should we all have a newly-found respect for Burnett, now that he is a temporary hero?

In a word, NO.

Let's just say he owed us one!

@michaelmoraitis