CC Sabathia has a backup plan if rain prevents Game 1 of the AL Championship Series from starting on time tonight.
“I’m pretty relaxed and hanging out,” Sabathia said yesterday. “[Rain] just gives me a lot of time to play .”
The Yankees would rather see Sabathia dominating hitters from a mound than in front of a video screen. The left-hander passed his first playoff test as Yankee by beating the Twins in Game 1 of the ALDS last Wednesday, and is again slated for the Game 1 spotlight, tonight in the ALCS against the Angels.
If there’s a cause for concern among the Yankees, it’s because Sabathia went 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in two starts against the Angels this season — bringing his lifetime mark against them to 5-7 with a 4.72 ERA.
As much as Sabathia respects power threats Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter, he knows his success might hinge on preventing the likes of Chone Figgins, Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis from using their speed to alter the game.
“They’ve got great balance to their lineup,” Sabathia said. “The biggest thing for me is just try to keep those guys off the bases.”
Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland said he isn’t worried about rust on Sabathia, despite the eight days’ rest. The lefty threw an extra side session, on Tuesday, just to keep sharp for tonight.
Save for a clunker at Tampa Bay on the final weekend of the regular season — when he was trying to earn his 20th win — Sabathia has been close to untouchable over the last two months. That is why manager Joe Girardi would love to have Sabathia ready to pitch twice more in this series, following tonight. Sabathia would pitch Game 4, on Tuesday in Anaheim, on three days’ rest and be available for a Game 7 back at the Stadium a week from Sunday. But a postponement would challenge that plan.
Nevertheless, Sabathia isn’t worried about burn-out, pitch counts or any such distractions at this time of the year.
“When I’m out there, I can throw 110 [pitches], I can throw 140,” Sabathia said. “It’s all the same once you’re out there.
“I’ll take the ball whenever they need me to. Whenever they tell me it’s my turn, I’m ready. I’m pretty much ready to do whatever they need me to do.”