What happened to the hottest hitter on the planet?
Going into the postseason Robinson Cano had gone 24-for-39 (.615) in the final nine regular-season games and looking every bit the best player in baseball.
Now, with the Yankees facing elimination in Game 5 of the ALDS today against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium, Cano’s is one of several dead bats.
He went 0-for-6 in last night’s 2-1 loss and is batting a woeful .111 (2-for-18) in the four games.
While Joe Girardi has pinch-hit for Alex Rodriguez in Games 3 and 4, might not play Rodriguez tonight and has to think about sitting Curtis Granderson and his ice cold bat, Girardi has no options with Cano.
Instead of stressing over Cano, Girardi pointed to the Orioles’ pitching.
“You are seeing some really good pitching in these four games,’’ the manager said. “It’s really been hard to come by hits.’’
* If Joba Chamberlain isn’t available after being hit on the right elbow by a broken bat last night the Yankees have the option of activating reliever Cody Eppley.
However, if Chamberlain is removed from the roster he wouldn’t be available for the ALCS if the Yankees advance.
* Across the first four ALDS games, Derek Jeter was the Yankees’ hottest hitter and Raul Ibanez was clearly the best clutch hitter.
Yet, David Robertson has been their best pitcher.
After an up-and-down season where he was Mariano Rivera’s replacement for seemingly a minute and then landed on the disabled list, Roberts finished with a solid, but not great, year with a 2-7 record and 2.67 ERA. Fifty-two hits in 60 2/3 innings was good and 81 strikeouts to 19 walks was impressive.
Thanks to a perfect eighth inning in Game 4 Robertson has worked 4 1/3 innings in the four ALDS games, allowed a hit, fanned five and hasn’t issued a walk.
“Pitching in the postseason is a lot different than pitching in the regular season,’’ he said. “You can’t afford to make any mistakes.’’