Yankees- C. C. Sabathia- Though the Yankees have gotten isolated big years from guys like Mike Mussina or Chien-Ming Wang it seems like they've been searching for a true #1 starter for the better part of the decade. It looks like they finally found that guy in C. C. Sabathia. He's among that top top tier of starting pitchers that consist of guys like Johan Santana, Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, and maybe one or two others. Barring a relatively unlikely injury, he should give you well over 200 innings, an ERA under 3.50, and around 200 strikeouts.
His 2008 was clearly an outlier and a product of the weak NL Central. However, to expect a repeat of his 2009 season is both reasonable and would make any Yankees fan happy. Since 2006, he's been the kind of pitcher that you can count on put up great numbers. His FIP of 3.39 was the highest since 2005, which is slightly concerning. However, he's still only 29 and even if he's beginning a decline, we should get a few more "C.C." years out of him.
The ALCS MVP also came up big in the postseason. He won four out of his five postseason games, only getting beaten by an untouchable Cliff Lee. In all of his games he entered the seventh inning and finished the eighth twice, giving up only one run both times to the Angels. All in all it was an impressive pinstripe debut, he quickly became a fan favorite with the combination of a winning personality and big results on the mound. Hopefully, the next few years will be more of the same.
Red Sox- Josh Beckett- Though I don't understand it myself, most Boston fans are penciling in Josh Beckett as the #1 over both John Lackey and Jon Lester. Anyway though, Boston fans know more about Boston than I do so I'll trust their judgement. Beckett has recovered very nicely from a disastrous Boston debut in 2006 to beocme one of the most feared pitchers in the AL East over the past three years.
His 2007 was a stunning rebound from his awful 2006. He posted some of the best numbers of his career; a 3.08 FIP, a 4.85 K/BB, and completed 200 innings for only the second time in his career. If any year can be described as the one where he finally "put it all together" then it would be 2007. He was nearly as good in 2008 but he was victimized by a much high BABIP. His FIP was 3.24 and his K/BB higher than ever at 5.06. The only blemishes on his record was his relatively low GB% of 4.08% and his inability to finish 200 innings. Last year, his numbers slipped a little. His walks went up and his K's went down. However, his FIP was still a great 3.63.
Like Sabathia, Beckett is a great pitcher who is probably starting to hit the downside of his career. However, like Sabathia, Beckett is only 29 and should still have plenty of great years left in him. 2010 is a contract year for him and I wouldn't be surprised if he returned to his 2007 form for at least one year. He's a very solid #1 for any team to have and his reputation as a Yankee-killer, whether its deserved or not, makes it even worse to have him on the Red Sox.
Advantage- Yankees- Beckett is a very good pitcher, even if you consider his 2007 to be an outlier. However, Sabathia is in a class with the most elite starters in all of baseball. The biggest difference between Sabathia and Beckett is the amount of innings they can eat up. Sabathia threw 230 in the regular season last year, and that was a low number for C. C.. When Beckett threw 212.1 last year, it was a career high. Then their's Sabathia's superior FIP and tERA. Two great pitchers but I have to go with C. C. here.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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