Tonight's Pitching Matchup: Yankees vs. Rangers Game 4

Whether you have faith in A.J. or have faith in the Yankees...or not, tonight is a big game. With the Yankees down 2-1, they need a good outing from the enigmatic starter. On the other hand, the young Tommy Hunter goes for the Rangers. Here's the match-up

A.J. Burnett vs. the Rangers hitters (including playoffs)

	PA	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SF	IBB	HBP	GDP
Matt Treanor	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.000	1.000	1.000	2.000	0	0	0	0
Josh Hamilton	19	16	4	2	0	1	3	2	2	.250	.368	.563	.931	0	0	1	0
David Murphy	22	17	5	0	0	1	2	4	4	.294	.455	.471	.925	0	0	1	0
Nelson Cruz	18	14	2	1	0	1	4	4	8	.143	.333	.429	.762	0	0	0	0
Vladimir Guerrero	60	56	13	6	0	2	6	4	13	.232	.283	.446	.730	0	1	0	2
Mike Young	37	36	9	1	0	1	1	1	6	.250	.270	.361	.631	0	0	0	0
Ian Kinsler	22	20	4	0	0	1	4	1	4	.200	.273	.350	.623	0	0	1	0
Elvis Andrus	17	14	3	0	0	0	0	2	4	.214	.353	.214	.567	0	0	1	0
Bengie Molina	5	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200	.200	.200	.400	0	0	0	0
Julio Borbon	9	9	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	.111	.111	.111	.222	0	0	0	1
Jorge Cantu	15	15	1	0	0	0	2	0	2	.067	.067	.067	.133	0	0	0	0
Jeff Francoeur	9	7	0	0	0	0	2	1	2	.000	.111	.000	.111	1	0	0	0
Cliff Lee	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0
Mitch Moreland	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0
Total	238	213	44	10	0	7	24	20	50	.207	.286	.352	.638	1	1	4	3

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/19/2010.

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It's Gut-Check Time: Will History Repeat Itself?

The Yankees are down 2-1 in the ALCS after they got thumped in a game Andy Pettitte started. The team acknowledges it's gut-check time as they try to get a big Game 4 win from a question mark (who hasn't pitched in over two weeks) and get the ball back to their big lefty ace. They've scored two runs total in the past two games and although this next game is elimination, it certainly feels like a must-win. Why? They just got dominated by the opposing starter and know that if it comes to Game 7 they will have to face him opposite Pettitte. They had a 5-run inning in Game 1 but besides that, the bats have been silent. The New York press seems to be in full panic mode.

Yankees hope for El Duque-like magic from AJ (SI)

Oh, I forgot to mention--the year is 1998.

Yup, the Yankees were in the exact same scenario in 1998 as they are currently in, though they had to climb back in Game 4 while on the road (they had home-field advantage but after having split at home, they lost Game 3 on the road). It's true that year they had a guy on the mound who inspires a bit more confidence in Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez--but it was still the same dicey situation since El Duque was truly an unknown commodity at that point as well.

The New York Daily News' Peter Botte wrote that day: "'It's gut-check time,' David Cone said after Andy Pettitte and the Yanks were thumped 6-1 here Friday night to fall behind 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven ALCS. 'It's a real character test for this team. We've got to get a big game from El Duque and get to the ball back to Boomer (David Wells), who's been our best pitcher all year.'"

The Yankees won Game 4 behind a great-pitched game from El Duque and then went on to win Games 4, 5 and 6 to take the series and then won 4 more in a row to sweep the World Series. 1998 was the last time the Yanks found themselves down 2-1 in an ALCS. Less than 5 hours to go until game time and whether you agree with starting A.J. tonight or not, you have agree that the key for the Yankees win tonight will be their bats awakening which, have been held silent except for one inning in the first game, much like the ALCS of 1998.

The last time the Yankees faced a "must-win" in the playoffs was Game 2 of the World Series last season. Burnett shut down a potent Phillies team that night to right the Yankees ship. Tonight Yankees fans hope he does the same.

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Say it ain't so, Joe! Please Do Not Start A.J. Burnett in Game 4

Fact: A.J. Burnett hasn't pitched in 17 days.

Fact: A.J. Burnett hit two of his own teammates during a recent simulated game.

Fact: A.J. Burnett's stats in August and September = 12 starts, 2-10, 6.61 ERA, 76 hits in 65.1 IP, 28 walks, 7 HBP, 53 K, opponents are hitting .300/.380/.494.

Fact: The Yankees, who must win Games 4, 5, 6 if they want any chance of avoiding Cliff Lee in Game 7 and winning this series, insist on pitching A.J. Burnett in a practically must-win Game 4.

Knowing what we know about A.J. Burnett, is anyone else reminded of this Family Guy clip?



Look, we all know what's coming.  If C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte were rusty from the ALDS, Burnett is going to be two-to-three times rustier.  His confidence is shot because he hasn't pitched effectively in months.  And the Yankees, who are down 2-1 but have been outplayed badly enough (aside from two innings in game 1) that it feels like 3-0, have their backs against the wall.  So why is Burnett pitching this game?  Why does the season practically rest in Burnett's shaky hands??  Don't push the AJ button, Joe, resist the temptation!  Don't even look at the button -- there's still time to change your mind!!!

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