Getty Images
(2009-11-02 04:02:05)
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The New York Yankees will lean heavily on CC Sabathia in their chase for a 27th World Series title as manager Joe Girardi said Saturday the big left-hander would start Sunday's Game Four against Philadelphia.
Starting Sabathia on three days' rest instead of the accustomed four means the Yankees ace would also be available to start a deciding Game Seven should the series go the distance.
"I've had enough rest the past two months to be able to feel comfortable enough to out there and pitch on three days' rest," Sabathia told reporters before Saturday's game.
Sabathia also pitched once on short rest -- and won -- against the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Championship Series.
"I told Joe at the beginning of the playoffs, I'm here and available whenever you need me."
Sabathia will be opposing Phillies starter Joe Blanton.
Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee, who shut down the Yankees 6-1 in Wednesday's series opener, will take the mound for the Phillies in Monday's Game Five.
Girardi said he was leaving his rotation options open for the rest of the series. The Yankees manager said he might bring A.J. Burnett back on short rest for Game Five, and could ask Saturday's starter Andy Pettitte to do the same in Game Six.
His other option would be to work in journeyman pitcher Chad Gaudin.
"This is the World Series," Girardi said. "There is no baseball after the World Series for four or five months, so there will be plenty of time to rest.
"A.J. was pretty good on short rest last year, if you look up his numbers. And they physically feel good.
"As far as short rest, it's not necessarily something that you want to do a lot of during the course of a long season, but we're not in a long season anymore."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
