MLB

Sabathia named ALCS MVP

Though starting three times in the World Series means CC Sabathia would have to pitch two of them on short rest, he said he will do whatever the Yankees ask him.

“Whenever they tell me to pitch,” Sabathia declared amidst last night’s celebratory clubhouse, “I’m ready.”

Sabathia earned his first career Fall Classic berth last night, and though he didn’t pitch in the clinching Game 6, his impact on the series was enormous. The $161 million left-hander earned the victory in ALCS Games 1 and 4, allowing two earned runs in 16 innings (1.13 ERA). For that, he also earned ALCS MVP honors.

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“This is what you come here for, to try to win a championship,” he said. “And this is one step closer.”

Sabathia pitched Game 4 on three days’ rest and would have pitched a third time (on normal rest) had the series gone to seven games. But the World Series is structured differently in terms of days off, and if the Yankees want to start Sabathia three times against the Phillies, he would have to pitch twice in a row on three days’ rest.

Manager Joe Girardi wouldn’t answer whether the Yankees would pitch Sabathia three times.

“I just want to enjoy this.”

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But there’s a good chance the Yankees will pitch Sabathia three times. The other option would be to start Chad Gaudin in Game 4, then come back with Sabathia in Game 5. But would the Yankees really want to pitch Gaudin when he has pitched just one inning the entire postseason?

Sabathia will pitch Game 1 against the Phillies on Wednesday, which will be an immediate opportunity to atone for last year’s postseason failure. The Phillies hit Sabathia hard in Game 2 of the NLDS last season when he was with the Brewers, allowing five runs in 3 2/3 innings.

This time, Sabathia will go against Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee, a former Indians teammate.

“I want to hit against him,” said Sabathia, who likely would be willing to pitch twice with three days’ rest.

Sabathia, who thrived on three days’ rest against the Angels in Game 4, will have seven days’ rest heading into Wednesday’s Game 1, meaning it likely would be easier for him to start again in Game 4, scheduled for Sunday, on three days’ rest. Game 7, if necessary, is next Thursday, which would afford Sabathia just three days’ rest again.

mark.hale@nypost.com