In the Playoff Pulse series, our MLB editor takes on a hot October topic.

Considering how I raked Vladimir Guerrero over the coals for being a playoff choker yesterday, it'd be easy to do the same to CC Sabathia after his lousy Game 2 performance. Sabathia couldn't escape the fourth inning in a loss to the Phillies.

He surrendered a grand slam to the light-hitting Shane Victorino, walked pitcher Brett Myers (and three others) and put the Brewers in a 2-0 hole that they are unlikely to climb out of. More importantly to Sabathia's legacy, it extended a rough run of performances in the postseason that extends back to last year.

The burly left-hander has just two wins in the playoffs -- one of which came back in 2001 -- and a career postseason ERA of 7.92.

But it's hard to blame Sabathia or anyone else really for what happened Thursday night in Philadelphia.

He delivered in every way imaginable from the day the Brewers acquired him from the Indians. He brought meaningful October baseball back to Milwaukee for the first time since he was two years old. To do that, he pitched seven complete games, threw over 110 pitches in eight starts and started four times on three days of rest.

The fourth start on short rest came in Game 2, and after all that, after 253 innings of ace-level performance, it appeared that Sabathia just didn't have anything left in the tank.


Unlike in Guerrero's case, there's really no blame to go around. The Brewers needed every last bit they could get from Sabathia. After all, they mortgaged part of their future to get him, and even then they only safely qualified for the postseason on the final day of the regular season.

As for Sabathia himself, how can you blame him for hitting the wall considering the burden he's taken on his broad shoulders the past few seasons? He's the anti-Pavano. Only Brandon Webb and Johan Santana have thrown more innings over the last four years, and no one, not even the great Roy Halladay, has eaten more innings than Sabathia in the last two.

No one can accuse Sabathia of wilting on the big stage -- not considering how much he did for Milwaukee in September. The only thing you can say is that he simply ran out of bullets once he arrived on the October stage in back-to-back seasons. Maybe the Yankees (or whoever he signs with this winter) will be able to give him more rest down the stretch in 2009.

Yesterday's Hero: Evan Longoria. You hit two home runs in your first two playoff at-bats you win by default. Honorable mention to Brett Myers and Shane Victorino.

Yesterday's Goat: Around the horn Derrek Lee, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Theriot and Aramis Ramirez all tie for the dubious distinction. Dishonorable mention to Orlando Cabrera, Javier Vazquez and Mike Cameron (again).

Quick Hits: Josh Beckett cleared his last hurdle and barring an unforeseen setback will start on Sunday for the Red Sox. The Angels simply have to beat Daisuke Matsuzaka tomorrow to have a chance in this series. ... Rich Harden and Dave Bush will try to save Chicago and Milwaukee's seasons, respectively. Both clubs should feel at least semi-confident about their starters in an elimination game. ... James Shields was less than outstanding, but Grant Balfour continues to be a revelation for the Rays.