The one-time playoff schedule wasn’t perfect from the day it was invented, and as it turned out the Yankees, who had the best record in the AL, suffered from it more than the Tigers.
Since the Tigers beat the A’s in five games in the ALDS on Thursday, they had Friday off before the start of the ALCS last night at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees needed a Game 5 to defeat the Orioles Friday night and didn’t have the normal day off between series.
The difference allows the Tigers to start ace Justin Verlander on full rest in Game 3 while the Yankees have to wait to use CC Sabathia in Game 4 on regular (four days’) rest.
“We all knew there were flaws in the system because TV was already set up before they added [a second wild-card] team,’’ Joe Girardi said. “But you always have a day off between the series and I really wish they would have found a way.’’
Tigers manager Jim Leyland didn’t read too much into the issue.
“I don’t worry about the small stuff, that’s small stuff to me,’’ Leyland said of the hectic schedule. “At this time of the year if you are playing and you are complaining, there is something wrong with you.’’
Asked if the Yankees were handicapped by the quirk in the schedule, Girardi hedged.
“Only time will tell. You have to win games anyway. It always helps to rest your bullpen. People will say CC went nine [in Game 5], but Robby [David Robertson] was up and Sorie [Rafael Soriano] was up. It wasn’t a complete day off,’’ Girardi said.
Girardi saw a bright side to it.
“We do have home-field advantage and we are built for our park,’’ Girardi said.
* Mark Teixeira’s left calf is not 100 percent, but it has progressed to the point where he told Girardi before Game 5 of the ALDS if the opportunity arose he felt good enough to steal a base.
“He said, “I think I can get a bag,’ ’’ Girardi said of the heavy-legged Teixeira, who stole a base and scored on a Raul Ibanez single.
* Eduardo Nunez was dropped from the ALCS roster yesterday and right-handed reliever Cody Eppley was added. Now, Nunez will take Derek Jeter s spot.
“With [Hiroki] Kuroda going on short rest and some other pitchers on short rest and them not having a left-handed starter, we decided to add a pitcher,’’ Girardi said.
* Girardi said no matter where the ALCS is at, Phil Hughes will pitch Game 3 and Sabathia Game 4. Girardi could use Sabathia on short rest in Game 3.
“Whenever they want me to throw I’ll be ready. I’ll throw a bullpen [today] and I’ll be ready to go Wednesday. I feel pretty good,’’ Sabathia said. “At this point in the year, anything’s OK. It’s not time to be hurt. It’s time to go.’’
If asked to work a Game 7 on three days’ rest, Sabathia is up for it.
“Sure, I’ve done it a couple of times so I have a routine either way. Not something new. I know what to do with whatever decision they make,’’ Sabathia said.
* While Joba Chamberlain said he was available to pitch in Friday’s Game 5, Girardi wasn’t sure the right-handed reliever had fully recovered from getting hit in the right elbow by a broken bat in Game 4.
“I am not sure he is available but we will find out,’’ Girardi said.