The Captain's Blog

Note: Since publication, it was announced that Kuroda will pitch in game 2 on short rest followed by Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia in games three and four, respectively. Presumably, Sabathia would come back on short rest in game 7, if needed.

Because of the condensed playoff schedule, the Yankees are facing the possibility of having to use five starters in the ALCS. Unless Girardi is willing to use both CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda on three-days rest, his creativity will be tested as he tries to cobble together a rotation that will send the Yankees to their 41st American League pennant.

Andy Pettitte is the only pitcher whose position in the rotation is locked in for the series. As the game one starter, the veteran lefty will be available for game 5 on full rest. However, every other rotation spot is in flux. It seems certain that Sabathia will go on short rest in one game, so the linchpin will be whether Kuroda can do the same. Below are the main scenarios the Yankees will likely consider.

Kuroda and Sabathia on Three-Days Rest

Option 1: In order for the Yankees to reset their rotation, they would need Kuroda and Sabathia to take the ball on three-days rest. If each pitcher toed the rubber in games 2 and 3, it would position them to come back fully rested in the last two games of the series, if needed. In addition, that alignment would hand the ball to Phil Hughes in game 4, enabling Girardi to manage his bullpen unencumbered by concerns about the rotation.

Option 2: Considering each pitcher’s workload in the ALDS, the Yankees could decide to pitch Kuroda and Sabathia on full rest earlier in the series instead of later. This option would create an opening in game 2, which would make David Phelps the likely starter and Hughes the backup plan should Kuroda or Sabathia struggle in their first outing.

The benefit to option 1 is it allows Kuroda to make both starts at Yankee Stadium, where he has been much more effective this season. In addition, it also matches Sabathia up against Verlander. However, if either or both starters struggle on short rest, it could place the Yankees in an early hole.

Option 2 allows Kuroda and Sabathia to get their footing in the ALCS on full rest, while also allowing Girardi to manage their workload with a nod toward a potential return on short rest at the end of the series. However, it limits Kuroda to one start at home and leaves Sabathia at a disadvantage in a sudden death showdown with Verlander. In addition, if Phelps can not provide length in game 2, it would tax the Yankees’ bullpen early in the series.

Sabathia on Short Rest

If Kuroda only pitches once, it would most likely have to be in game 3 or 4, depending on when the Yankees would prefer Sabathia pitch on short rest. Either way, this arrangement would create a dilemma in games 2 and 6.

Under the scenario outlined above, Girardi seems to have two options. He can either use David Phelps in game 2 and Phil Hughes in game 6, or he could treat each game as a bullpen by committee affair, with Phelps, Hughes and Derek Lowe getting the brunt of the action. Considering the team’s decision to add Cody Eppley to the roster at the expense of Eduardo Nunez, it seems as if the Yankees expect their bullpen to be active during the series, so this could be the rotation Girardi decides to use.

The biggest drawback to this arrangement would be the impact it has on the bullpen’s depth. In the ALDS, Yankee starters went deep in each game, but the Tigers’ lineup might not be as accommodating. If the Yankees find themselves in the bullpen early, not having Phelps and Lowe available could become a hindrance. Also, this scenario marginalizes Kuroda by not only limiting him to one start, but having it take place on the road against Verlander. What’s more, in a sudden death showdown of aces, Sabathia would be on short rest, although that could be mitigated by having a fully rested Kuroda available as back up.