The Yankees postseason roster is out to do what no Yankees postseason roster has done in nine years. The Yankees roster goes in as postseason favorites, with the high hopes of winning their first World Series since 2000. But past Yankees postseason rosters in this decade have faltered as favorites, as the last nine years have had one postseason collapse after another. However, with the 2009 Yankees postseason roster, an early exit would be their most inexcusable yet.
The final Yankees postseason roster and rotation was set yesterday by Joe Girardi, while they finally found out who they would play in the first round. According to the Yankees official website, 11 pitchers are on the roster along with 14 position players, as part-time starter Chad Gaudin will serve as a long reliever.
Joe Girardi also raised some eyebrows with his plans for the Yankees postseason roster in the first two games. Girardi will use a three-man pitching rotation for the ALDS against the Twins, comprised of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. What’s more, Jorge Posada will be benched in Game 2 so Jose Molina will catch Burnett in Game 2, according to the New York Times.
Yankees fans might be a little concerned that the up-and-down Burnett is starting Game 2, instead of postseason veteran Pettitte. They also might feel frustrated that the “Joba Rules” may have failed for Joba Chamberlain, who starts the ALDS in the bullpen. Even if the Yankees get to the ALCS and Chamberlain is the fourth starter, there are many concerns about whether he can deliver.
But first, the Yankees postseason roster has to get past the Twins first, and almost no one believes they won’t do it. The Twins have been terrible the last several years against the Yankees – but all they need is one surprise win in Yankee Stadium, and they go back to the intimidating Metrodome with an advantage.
This is the true test for the Yankees postseason roster in this series, as they play as heavy favorites, and have to do what they’re expected to do. Ultimately, what’s expected is World Series title No. 27 for the franchise.
To do that, the newcomers to the Yankees postseason roster will be under the most pressure. C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher and Girardi himself will face October in pinstripes for the first time. In addition, Alex Rodriguez could use a big October for once, to answer skeptics once and for all.
From top to bottom, the Yankees roster dominated the regular season, in ways they hadn’t done for a long time. But failure to do the same in October will doom the 2009 Yankees to infamy. It all starts today at Yankee Stadium against the Twins, at 6:07 p.m. est on TBS.
Sources
New York Yankees- “Yanks stock up on arms in 11’th hour” newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp
New York Times- “Yanks Announce Rotation, Close in on Playoff Roster” bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/yanks-announce-rotation-close-in-on-playoff-roster/
