Yankees: Burnett Solid Against Red Sox, Back in Discussion for Playoff Start
September 2, 2011 · Michael Moraitis · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Yes, that’s right, you read that title correctly.
With his first good start in months, it’s painful to say that A.J. Burnett has slightly cracked open the door to a playoff start. There’s no doubt Joe Girardi and the Yankees were intrigued by what they saw from Burnett last night in the Yankees 4-2 win over the Red Sox.
What may have been most important for Burnett was that his pitches looked sharp. The problem is, how much can the Yankees rely on that to happen on a more consistent basis?
Burnett still has a lot to prove, but with a strong finish to the 2011 season, he may get another chance to make a playoff start.
Most likely the Bombers will use a four-man rotation in the playoffs and with Phil Hughes struggling as well, a good start could move Burnett past Hughes in the rotation pecking order. From there, a few more good starts and $16 million later, Burnett could see a start in the division series.
Don’t think it’s so ridiculous despite how ridiculous it sounds, and here’s why.
Don’t forget Game 2 of the 2009 World Series when Burnett took the ball against the Philadelphia Phillies down 0-1 and threw a gem to keep the Bombers even in the series. That example alone, of successful big game pitching, instantly makes him more qualified than his competition, perhaps combined.
So if you take that, combined with the money he is making, you can be certain Burnett is not yet out of the running to make a playoff start. The Yankees have a lot invested in him and because of this it’s possible the Yankees overlook his horrible season if he can finish strong down the stretch.
Burnett’s solid start against a World Series-caliber team like the Red Sox is his first step back into the discussion as a possible playoff starter.
The leash is very short, make no mistake about it. Burnett will have to be nearly perfect from here on out and as crazy as it sounds, don’t count him out yet.
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