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Game 6 rainout bolsters Angels' chances

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Jon Paul Morosi

Jon Paul Morosi is a national MLB writer for FOXSports.com. He previously covered baseball for the Detroit Free Press and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He began his journalism career at the Bay City Times in his native Michigan. Follow him on Twitter.

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Updated Oct 25, 2009 1:08 PM ET
     
 

NEW YORK

Saturday's rainout increased the Angels' chances of winning the American League Championship Series — at least a little bit. The reason is simple: John Lackey could pitch a Game 7 on short rest. But the effect on the Yankees might be even greater — if the series lasts seven games. New York didn't enter the postseason with its eye on the American League pennant. The Yankees are supposed to win the World Series. And in that regard, Mother Nature didn't do them any favors on Saturday. Let's assume, for a moment, that the Yankees lose Sunday but win Game 7 Monday behind ace left-hander CC Sabathia. In that scenario, the following statements would hold true:
  • Sabathia would be guaranteed only one start — Game 3 — in the World Series. He could pitch an if-necessary Game 6 (short rest) or Game 7 (normal rest). By contrast, if Sabathia isn't needed on Monday, he could start as many as three times against the Phillies: Game 1 (seven days of rest), Game 4 (three days) and Game 7 (three days).
  • Unless Andy Pettitte is available on short rest — not an attractive option, given that shoulder fatigue forced him to miss a September start — the Yankees would be forced to start A.J. Burnett and Chad Gaudin in the first two games of the World Series. Since Pettitte, 37, has rarely pitched on short rest during his long career, the Yankees' starter in Game 2 of the World Series would probably be Gaudin, who was released by the Cubs at the end of spring training. Gaudin has pitched one (scoreless) inning this postseason. He hasn't started since Sept. 28. Still, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Pettitte, whose 15 postseason wins are tied for the most in history, will pitch Sunday with a chance to put the Yankees in the World Series and preserve their rotation plans. Sabathia could have pitched Sunday on normal rest, but manager Joe Girardi decided against it. "Andy has pitched in a ton of big, big games in his career," Girardi said. "We just like him in this spot. We're not looking ahead. I don't think you can afford to look ahead." Pettitte will be making his third start of this postseason. Like the other two, it will be on extra rest. "I feel like I've had an awful lot of rest," he said Saturday. "I'm getting older and it's probably great for me." But Pettitte has averaged about 5 2/3 innings per start since September, meaning it won't be a surprise if Girardi needs his bullpen as early as the sixth. That could put the Yankees at a disadvantage. New York relievers have allowed a .300 batting average during the postseason and accounted for the Yankees' only two losses. Mariano Rivera has been as precise as ever in the ninth inning, but the middle relievers have buckled. Girardi's handling of the bullpen in New York's Game 5 loss has fallen under particular scrutiny. He kept Burnett in the game to protect a two-run lead in the seventh inning, rather than summon Joba Chamberlain, followed by Phil Hughes.
    The move backfired, and the Yankees lost. Two days later, questions about the bullpen persisted. Girardi acknowledged that there is now a "possibility" he will use right-hander David Robertson in the late innings. Chamberlain and Hughes have combined to allow nine hits in 3 2/3 innings during the ALCS. The concern won't abate until the bullpen closes out another October win. "Both players have proved (themselves) the whole season," Rivera said, in reference to Chamberlain and Hughes. "(They) just have to trust their stuff. It's the same game. I know it's a little different (in the) playoffs, but you still have to throw the ball over the plate and corners and get people out. "I will do what I have to do on my behalf to make sure they feel comfortable, but the rest is in their hands." The Angels, who are without a dominant closer, have their own bullpen issues. But with left-hander Joe Saunders and (potentially) Lackey starting the next two games, manager Mike Scioscia has effectively added a power arm to the bullpen: Jered Weaver. Weaver, a 16-game winner as a starter, was impressive in one scoreless relief inning during the Game 5 win. He will be available in the bullpen again on Sunday. "Jered did a great job in Game 5, to get through that eighth inning," Scioscia said. "And we might need him to bridge that gap again." The Sabathia-Lackey encounter in Game 7 would be riveting. Sabathia on extra rest. Lackey on short rest. In terms of big-name appeal — but not rivalry — it would approach a recent ALCS Game 7 staged across the street: Roger Clemens vs. Pedro Martinez in 2003. A seventh game would likely be greeted with more panic than anticipation in New York. The Yankees don't want to spoil a 3-1 series lead, five years after their famous collapse against the Red Sox. But in their clubhouse on Saturday, the Yankees seemed confident. "It could be six, seven, but we're gonna win," catcher Jose Molina said. "I feel that way. I'm not talking for everybody. But we know our team. We know what we're capable (of doing). Sometimes, we don't really care who's on the mound. We just feel good at the plate and win the game."
    • Tagged: Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Angels, Jose Molina, Joe Saunders, Cubs, John Lackey, A.J. Burnett, David Robertson, Yankees, Chad Gaudin, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Phillies, Jered Weaver

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