Back To The Bronx We Go

So, how's the prediction looking now, Jose?

With their backs against the wall, A.J. Burnett and the Yankees came through in a huge way, beating the Tigers 10-1 on Tuesday to force a do-or-die game 5 on Thursday at The Stadium.

There was a lot that led to this huge win for the Yanks; solid pitching from AJ, clutch hitting, and good relief work. But there was nothing was more important than Curtis Granderson's spectacular play in the first inning to save A.J. Burnett and the Yankees from almost certain defeat.

Burnett was walkinng the ballpark and looked lost on the mound and the Tigers had the bases loaded with two out for Don Kelly. Kelly then hammered a 1-0 fastball deep to center. Granderson, who initially took a step in, had to back track and leap to make a lunging grab saving at least three runs.

Had the ball fallen in the Tigers would have had a commanding lead, Burnett might have been done (Wade was warming), and we'd almost certainly be talking about a disappointing end to the 2011 season for the Yanks. Instead, Burnett got out of the inning, eventually settling down and pitching 5.2 innings of one-run ball, Derek Jeter started the Yankees off with a two-run double in the 3rd propelling the Yankees offense to a 10-run 13-hit outburst, and now we're headed to a game 5.

But that season-saving play wasn't it for Granderson on the night. In the 5th, he came through with a big RBI double extending the Yanks lead to 3-1 at the time. Detroit had just cut the Yanks lead to 2-1 when Victor Martinez hit a solo shot off Burnett in the 4th--Burnett's lone blemish after his shaky first. Granderson also made another highlight reel play in the bottom of the 5th, robbing Jhonny Peralta of extra bases and probably and RBI with a diving grab in left-center.

Back to Burnett, who I'm sure shocked most of you with his performance. I know I'm shocked. He had good stuff, and most importantly, command of it. This is the guy we've been waiting for all year and to be honest, he couldn't have picked a better time to show up. If the Yanks can win game 5 and go on to the ALCS, Burnett, I assume, will have a starting spot in the rotation--one he most certainly deserves after today.

Some other notes:

- Jesus Montero went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in his first two postseason at-bats.
- Rafael Soriano had a solid 1.1 innings of work after his rough outing on Monday.
- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez actually got hits.
- So did Nick Swisher.

Just an overall great win for the Yanks who have to be feeling good about themselves as they board that plane back to NY.

Game 5 is Thursday in the Bronx with a rematch of game 1 (part 2), Ivan Nova vs. Doug Fister.

ALDS Game 4: Yankees @ Tigers

First Pitch: 8:37 PM | TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS
YANKEES (1-2)
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Brett Gardner, LF

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett

TIGERS (2-1)
Austin Jackson, CF
Ramon Santiago, 2B
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Don Kelly, RF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila, C
Wilson Betemit, 3B

Pitching: RHP Rick Porcello

Graphic of the Day

Courtesy of Flickr, and a tip of the hat to FanGraphs.

Cash is Confident

From Joel Sherman:

He insisted that this was “not a guarantee,” yet Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman repeated several times this morning that “I expect to win the next two games” and advance to the ALCS.

The Yankees face elimination Tuesday night with Detroit leading this best-of-five Division Series two-games-to-one. But, of all things, the loss that put the Yankees on the brink actually has Cashman encouraged about the abilities and mental makeup of his squad.

“(Justin) Verlander had Nolan Ryan stuff and we figured out a way to score four runs and be in that game,” Cashman told The Post by phone. “This team is tough. Verlander was amazing last night and what we did against him was amazing, too. I know we lost, but I think we have a mentally tough team. I know it is not a good spot to be down two-to-one, but this team is tougher than people think. I believe in our guys. It is not a good spot, but I believe we will win the next two games.”

...

“It was spectacular what we did against Verlander,” Cashman said. “It is an indicator that we are not going away. That we are going to be tough to put down – and I don’t expect us to be put down.”

Do you share Cashman's confidence?

Burnett On His Pivotal Game 4 Start

From Rick Carpiniello:

"I look at it as a chance to get my team a win ... a very big one," Burnett said. "I had good games, bad games during the season. You can say the same thing about the postseason, but you can't count me out. I'm going to bring everything I've got, and just let A.J. loose out there.

"Like I said, it's an important game. It's going to be more important depending on the outcome (of Game 3), but I can't do anything to change the season. But I can help my team to win. I'm going to do that the best I can."

Confidence has never been the issue with Burnett, and he said as much.

"Believe it or not, I have pretty good confidence every start," he said. "I try to go out and believe I can throw a no-hitter. Even last year when I couldn't get out of the first inning, I took the mound the next start with belief. And I did so this year. If I don't do that, then I don't make it where I am now. I don't have the few good starts towards the end (of the season) if I don't stay that way."

His history includes Game 2 of the 2009 World Series in which he held Philadelphia to one run on four hits in seven innings.

He said he would probably watch the video of that outing Monday night.

"More than likely," Burnett said. "I do have it on the computer. I haven't watched in a while, probably not since last year. I watch a lot of video. That would definitely be a good one to watch, for sure."

A.J. wasn't great, but was solid in his two starts against the Tigers during the regular season, going 1-1, with a 3.75 ERA. In 14.2 innings, he allowed 5 earned runs on 9 hits, walked 5 and struck out 14.

• April 5 vs. DET (first start of '11): 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
• May 5 @ DET: 7 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K - The Yankees committed three errors on the day.

Burnett also has some very good career numbers against the Tigers' biggest offensive threats:

BATTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Miguel Cabrera	14	3	2	0	0	2	0	1	.214	.214	.357	.571
Victor Martinez	27	7	2	0	1	3	6	4	.259	.412	.444	.856
Magglio Ordonez	14	3	1	0	1	2	3	3	.214	.353	.500	.853
Jhonny Peralta	13	3	1	0	1	6	1	4	.231	.267	.538	.805
Delmon Young	14	3	1	0	0	0	1	5	.214	.267	.286	.552

I'm still not too confident, but at least there are a few things in his favor.

Also, it wouldn't hurt AJ and the Yankees if A-Rod and Tex decided to show up. It's not too easy to score runs and win when two of your run producers are a combined 1-for-21.

AJ, It's Time For Another One of These Performances

Burnett's excellent start against the Phillies in game 2 of '09 was probably the most important game for the Yankees during their run to #27 in 09. After tonight's disappointing 5-4 loss to the Tigers, the Yanks will need something similar from AJ tomorrow if they're going to prove Valverde wrong and bring this series back to the Bronx for game 5 on Thursday.

The thought of the season riding on the inconsistent right arm of Burnett is enough to make any Yankees fan feel a bit queasy, but at least he's done it before, and done it on the biggest, most pressure packed stage in the sport. And the memory of that success is what A.J. needs to take with him to the mound if the Yanks hope to continue their quest for 28.

In would make for a great story: the beleaguered starting pitcher who just barely snuck onto the postseason roster comes up huge in game 4 with the Yankees back's against the walls.

Believe me, I don't expect that outcome, but I'm certainly hoping for it. I'm not ready for this season to end yet. Hopefully, the Yankees aren't either.

ALDS Game 3: Yankees @ Tigers

First Pitch: 8:37 PM | TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS
YANKEES (1-1)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (0-0, 4.50 in ALDS)

TIGERS (1-1)
Austin Jackson CF
Ramon Santiago 2B
Delmon Young LF
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Victor Martinez DH
Magglio Ordonez RF
Jhonny Peralta SS
Alex Avila C
Brandon Inge 3B

Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 9.00 ERA in ALDS)

Second Guessing, Part Two - Luis Ayala

Prior to Game 2, Girardi stated that he was more than willing to utilize any of the Yankees relievers three days in a row. This ostensibly meant that Rivera, Robertson, and Soriano were available for Game 2 and Game 3, with Robertson and Soriano being available for Game 4, as well. Most would suggest that a three-run deficit is far from insurmountable - particularly at home, against a flyball pitcher with a propensity for wildness (4.2 BB/9). While few in their right mind would suggest that a rally was a guarantee, I highly doubt that many would essentially cut and run. Cue Girardi.

"We still have two more games in a row," Girardi said. "And we’re down three. If we got it down to two, we were going to make a change. Being down three runs and you know what Valverde has done all year long, we decided to go to Ayala."

Luis Ayala performed ably throughout the regular season - his peripherals suggested a league-average pitcher, but he was able to slay the luck dragon and maintain a nice looking 2.09 ERA. With a rested Robertson and Soriano, however, it seems curious to hand the ball over to a pitcher twenty-four hours removed from allowing two inherited runners to score and three days removed from handing the Rays the Wild Card.

I will not call this move indefensible, as Valverde has been very good this season. It would also be false to suggest that this move truly hurt the Yankees, as even an illogical use of the predetermined outcome has them losing the game 4-3 (assuming Robertson or Soriano would have escaped the inning unscathed). That being said, it is difficult to defend Girardi's logic here, and I never want to see my team's manager all but welcome defeat.

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