The New York Yankees are rock solid. They have been the No. 1 team in our power rankings for quite a while and even the Yankee-haters finally stopped questioning it. That being said, they do have a central concern as they get ready to play for their first World Series championship since 2000 -- the depth of the starting rotation. Tuesday night clouded things a bit further. Andy Pettitte, who has settled in as the Yankees' third best pitcher this season, has been scratched from his Wednesday start. Worse news yet is the reason: Shoulder fatigue.
The silver lining is that the reports state Pettitte isn't feeling pain, just aching. On the other hand, it's a tad bit worrisome to hear of a 37-year-old with almost 3,000 career innings pitched suffering from shoulder fatigue toward the end of the season. It's possible he'll be back on track and finish the rest of the season -- and postseason -- strong, but there is at least a small reason for concern. Pettitte reportedly felt shoulder fatigue last season and it was the worst full season of his career.
The Bronx Bombers do have a formidable duo atop the rotation in CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett -- though Burnett has a 7.67 ERA in his last five starts -- but behind Pettitte they are left with Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin. So, yeah, the rotation could pose a major obstacle to their success in the playoffs.
Pettitte is currently 13-6 with a 4.14 ERA.
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"The Bronx Bombers do have a formidable duo atop the rotation in CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett -- though Burnett has a 7.67 ERA in his last five starts -- but behind Pettitte they are left with Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin. So, yeah, the rotation could pose a major obstacle to their success in the playoffs."
This has been my point right along. The Yankees are going to have to out hit their opponents and they may well do that,but I think anyone can win it this year.