Joe Girardi might not have pulled A.J. Burnett in the seventh inning under normal circumstances. But the righty was at 108 pitches, and with the playoffs around the corner, that was sufficient.
“The prize is next month,” Girardi said, “and that’s what I told him.”
The race for the prize starts in just a few more games, and last night Burnett was again terrific for the Yankees. He delivered his third straight superb start, harnessing the Royals on just three hits and two runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings in the Yankees’ 4-3 walk-off win.
The Yanks, who’ve won seven straight, earned the victory on a two-run rally in the ninth, their 15th walk-off win highlighted by Juan Miranda’s game-winning single. The losing pitcher? Sure enough: Kyle Farnsworth.
Burnett treated Miranda to a celebratory pie in the face, finishing his night as well as he’s finishing his season. On Sept. 7, Burnett won for the first time in over a month, finally ending a run that saw his ERA jump from 3.53 to 4.29. But down the stretch, Burnett is emerging, posting a 1.89 ERA over his last three turns.
“I always believed that he would turn around,” Girardi said.
On Sunday, Burnett went to Arkansas to visit his dad, who was having heart surgery, and didn’t return to New York until Monday night. Before last night’s game, pitching coach Dave Eiland insisted he wasn’t worried about Burnett’s emotions, saying, “No, his dad’s fine.” But Nick Swisher knew last night’s start mattered.
“It was an emotional start for him today,” Swisher said. “I know it was.”
While Sunday’s start at Tampa Bay affords Burnett another chance for his 100th career victory, his next important start will be against Detroit or Minnesota in the ALDS — and right now he’s supplying evidence to be encouraged, not frightened.
The 32-year-old Burnett has never pitched a playoff game. But although there’s postseason inexperience for him, there’s also enthusiastic anticipation.
“It’s why I came here,” he said of making the playoffs.
Girardi revealed that the decision to start Burnett or Andy Pettitte in ALDS Game 2 hinges on multiple factors — “opponent, how a guy’s pitching, whether he pitches better at home or away, is it more of a right-handed-hitting lineup or a left-handed-hitting lineup.”
Burnett has fared better against Minnesota, going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts, while Pettitte’s 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in one start. Against the Tigers, Burnett is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in one start. Pettitte hasn’t faced them.
Burnett has been better at home (5-3, 3.51 ERA home vs. 7-6, 4.73 ERA road), while Pettitte’s been better on the road (8-3, 3.59 ERA road vs. 6-4, 4.59 ERA home). As for righty vs. lefty, Pettitte’s splits are identical (.714 OPS to both), but Burnett has fared far better vs. lefties (.665 OPS entering last night) than righties (.813). The Twins have more lefty hitters.
Girardi, who met with coaches and front office executives yesterday to discuss the postseason, said the Yanks will start CC Sabathia against Tampa Bay, followed by Pettitte and Burnett. But when asked if the ALDS would be the same, he said, “I don’t know.” Burnett doesn’t care which game he’s assigned.
“We’re all going to get the ball,” he said.