Though they still have a few more victories before advancing to the ALCS, according to the New York Post, the New York Yankees have already decided that they will be using Chad Gaudin -- not Joba Chamberlain -- as their fourth starter should they get past the Twins in the ALDS. It's a move that seems a bit surprising, considering the Yankees' insistence on keeping Chamberlain in the rotation all year, but it also appears to be the correct move. Chamberlain was, frankly, terrible down the stretch as a starter. From August 6 to Sept. 30, he made 11 starts and produced a 7.69 ERA. He allowed opposing hitters to hit .321 against him with a .926 OPS. Throughout his career, he's been much more effective as a late-inning reliever, and we saw it again Wednesday night -- when he came in to retire Delmon Young in the eighth inning of Game 1.
Gaudin, on the other hand, started six games for the Yankees this season for the Yankees -- going 1-0 with a 3.19 ERA. He has control problems at times, but his stuff is good as evidenced by the opposing .239 batting average against him in starts for New York. He was worse out of the bullpen, so the Yankees are using each respective pitcher in what seems to be his strongest role.
Gaudin has never started a postseason game.
First things first, though, as the Yankees still need to take two more from the Twins in order to advance. They'll be using A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia as their starters for the rest of the series. Game 2 is set for 6:07 PM ET Friday evening.
