The New York Yankees face the most difficult task in baseball: trying to overcome a 3-0 deficit against the Tigers in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.
If they have any chance to advance to the World Series, it starts with Game 4 on Wednesday. With that in mind, is there anybody the Yankees would rather see on the mound than CC Sabathia?
“I’m always happy when he’s pitching for us,” Nick Swisher said. “It’s been a rough few games for us this series, but we have to come out tomorrow and be ready to go. He’s been our ace, our horse all year long. I’m excited to have him out there.”
Sabathia was not available until Game 4 of the series after pitching the Yankees past the Orioles in Game 5 of the ALDS last Friday. Sabathia has tossed two gems in the postseason, allowing three runs over 17 2/3 innings in his two ALDS starts against Baltimore.
Although the Yankees’ offense has struggled all postseason, Sabathia isn’t going to worry about his run support.
“I always want to go out and try to shut the other team down and give us as many opportunities to score,” Sabathia said. “As cold as we are, we can get just as hot, especially with our lineup and the veterans we have and great players we have. We always had a faith that if you go out there and do your job, you are going to score runs, and we have all year, really.”
Catcher Russell Martin said of Sabathia, “I expect him to go out there and give his best effort. Hopefully we can do enough offensively to support him and get a W.”