Andy Pettitte has become so irregular that he should be pitching laxatives.
Last night he was finally set to start on normal four days’ rest — something he hasn’t done since Sept. 5 — when rain postponed Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.
Pettitte will get the call tonight against the Angels, with an extra day of rest. He’s not complaining.
“I’m getting older and it’s probably great for me,” Pettitte said. “But when I was younger, that would really set me back.”
Pettitte’s last two starts, both in the playoffs, have come on eight days’ rest. Before that he had layoffs of six, six, 10 and six days.
CC Sabathia was an option for tonight on full rest, but manager Joe Girardi will keep his ace ready for a potential Game 7 tomorrow night.
After all, why panic? Pettitte gave the Yankees a solid performance in Game 3 of the ALCS after dominating the Twins in the ALDS clincher. And if it gets to Game 7, who better than Sabathia to match up against Angels ace John Lackey?
“The extra day we think can physically help [Sabathia],” Girardi said. “He was on short rest the last time. He’s been good on the extra day, too. So I don’t really worry about him going on an extra day. We’re going to stick with Andy.”
Pettitte could be seen jogging on the warning track through a heavy downpour about an hour after last night’s game was postponed. He hadn’t yet begun his pregame routine when the postponement announcement was made.
“It’s just frustrating from the standpoint it’s such a long day when you’re so ready and so anxious to get the game going,” Pettitte said.
On the line for Pettitte tonight is a chance to clinch the pennant for the Yankees, but also an opportunity to become the first pitcher with 16 career postseason victories (John Smoltz also has 15).