Prince Fielder knows CC Sabathia as a true friend and a former teammate with the Brewers. On Saturday night, the two men and their wives went to dinner. During yesterday’s game at Yankee Stadium, Amber Sabathia and Chanel Fielder sat together as their husbands faced off on the field.
More than anything, Prince knows this about CC.
“When you think of an ace, he is that,’’ Fielder told the Post after Sabathia showed just what kind of ace he is, pitching eight strong innings in a 6-2 win over the Tigers on a day the Yankees struggling rotation needed a CC pick-me-up.
Fielder blasted a solo home run off a Sabathia curve ball in the fourth, one of only two runs and four hits the lefty surrendered.
As bad as the Yankees’ rotation problems have been, at least Sabathia is winning. He is 3-0 and getting stronger with each start. His 38 strikeouts are the most he has ever had through his first five starts of a season, even though his fastball still has room to improve.
The road will be difficult for the Yankees, considering their rotation issues. Freddy Garcia was banished to the bullpen yesterday, but if Sabathia can continue to excel, at least the Yankees have an ace to guide them.
“You have to get CC when you can, because you ain’t gonna get him all day,’’ Fielder said. “The best thing about CC though is that he is always the same guy and by seeing that in him, that has really helped me. It really shows how much cooler you can be when you have that success and still be a normal guy. You rarely see a guy that good be that cool. That’s why he’s my friend because he’s like cool. He’s got it all.’’
Sabathia remains the Yankees’ anchor. For all the pitching mistakes made through the years, the signing of Sabathia has been one of the smartest moves made by general manager Brian Cashman. Sabathia is 62-23 in the regular season as a Yankee.
With Andy Pettitte on the Yankees’ horizon, Sabathia is looking for better days ahead for the rotation.
“I have a lot of friends in here, but he’s my dear friend,’’ Sabathia said of Pettitte. “Not just on the field but hanging out with him.’’
Much like being with Fielder. Sabathia will turn 32 this season. Fielder will turn 28 May 9.
“It’s like I was telling [Derek Jeter], it’s like facing your little brother,’’ Sabathia explained. “When he gets you, it kind of stings a little bit, but it is what it is, he’s one of the best hitters in the game. It’s always a lot of fun and we’re really close, we compete 100 percent against each other. He’s not just a baseball friend. When we go out, we talk about everything. He’s one of those friends I have for life.’’
In 2009, the Yankees’ postseason formula was to get as much as possible out of Sabathia and Pettitte with A.J. Burnett pitching in. That was enough to win the World Series. Yes, the road is much more difficult now, but at least one part of the equation is in place with Sabathia pitching well.
“I’m always trying to give the team length,’’ Sabathia said of his starts. “Our bullpen has been throwing a lot so it was a good feeling to go out and give those guys a rest.’’
Doing all that against Detroit is important because the Tigers had success against Sabathia last October as he wound up with no wins and a 6.23 ERA in three appearances (two starts) in the five-game ALDS.
“This lineup is like Texas and like ours, it’s tough to face,’’ Sabathia said.
The Yankees score runs and Sabathia makes the most of that situation.
“You don’t have to go out and be perfect and try to throw shutouts every time,’’ he said. “I always feel a responsibility to go out and pitch well.’’
That’s what aces do. He’s one of the best. Just listen to Prince Fielder.