In Between the Pinstripes #41

In between the Pinstripes_41: The Stopper
C.C. Sabathia is the Andy Pettitte for this generation of Yankee fans. Yes, C.C. is 37-years-old but he is as clutch as you can get in the postseason. If the Yankees want to advance to the World Series, they will ride the coattails of Sabathia.

Before we get too far, last night was a great overall win by the bombers. From C.C’s three hit, five strike out, six scoreless innings, to the defense of Aaron Judge, to the offense finally showing up (oh, and that laser-beam by Judge), this is just the win the Yankees needed to get back in the series.


One of the only negatives things that came out of this win—is the fact that the bombers had to use Tommy Kahnle out of the pen in the 9th last night. Dellin Betances yet again was wild, and walking in a run in the 9th. Betances came out of the pen and threw four straight balls to Marwin Gonzalez. Right then and there Girardi should have went to the bullpen and went to Chasen Shreve, and not Kahnle. Kahnle is too important of an arm to use in a game like this unless you absolutely have to use him. Shreve hasn’t pitched all postseason and would have been a great option with Derek Fisher coming to the plate after the Gonzalez walk. But, the Yankees won and they have Sonny Grey on the mound going against Lance McCullers. McCullers is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two games against the bombers with a .221 batting average against. McCullers has only pitched in Yankee Stadium once however, going six innings, giving up four hits, and striking out seven. That was last year at the Stadium, but the Red Sox did light him up in Game 3 of the ALDS. McCullers went three innings giving up three hits, two runs, and striking out four. Hopefully, the Yanks will get the Game 3 McCullers and not the pitcher that has owned them through two starts in his career. The bombers will look to get Sonny Grey his first run of run support in Gray’s postseason career tonight, in the Bronx, and will completely change the complexion of the series with a win tonight. Let’s go Yankees, this is a most win game with Keuchel in Game 5 tomorrow, and Verlander looming in Game 6 [if needed].  

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