You could see it on the Yankees faces. You could hear it in their voices. The team was devastated by this defeat, probably because it came at their own hands. The Yanks had every opportunity to win this game and go up 3-0 against the Angels in the American League Championship Series and couldn't do it. They couldn't come up with a clutch hit or timely sac fly to score that extra run, going 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Joba Chamberlain came in and immediately gave up the go-ahead run in the 7th inning. Joe Girardi continued his questionable managing of the bullpen and it finally caught up with him. The Yankees had this game in their grasp and let it get away from them.
Luckily for the Yankees they play again today and they can quickly erase the sting of Game 3 with a winning performance. But even that is problematic. They have their stud pitcher CC Sabathia, but he's going on 3 days rest. Pitchers going on short rest in the playoffs have not done well in the past, including Sabathia with the Brewers last year. The Yanks desperately need a good outing from the big guy. They don't want to go into Game 5 tied with the Angels with the erratic AJ Burnett on the mound and the Halos brimming with confidence.
I hope CC can pull a repeat of his Game 1 performance where he serves as his own set-up man for Mariano Rivera. Take the decision out of Joe Girardi's hands because he clearly can not stop himself from micromanaging his bullpen.
Luckily for the Yankees they play again today and they can quickly erase the sting of Game 3 with a winning performance. But even that is problematic. They have their stud pitcher CC Sabathia, but he's going on 3 days rest. Pitchers going on short rest in the playoffs have not done well in the past, including Sabathia with the Brewers last year. The Yanks desperately need a good outing from the big guy. They don't want to go into Game 5 tied with the Angels with the erratic AJ Burnett on the mound and the Halos brimming with confidence.
I hope CC can pull a repeat of his Game 1 performance where he serves as his own set-up man for Mariano Rivera. Take the decision out of Joe Girardi's hands because he clearly can not stop himself from micromanaging his bullpen.
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