A.J. Burnett is set to pitch game four of the ALDS. Because game one was suspended by rain, Burnett, who was originally tabbed a reliever for the first round of the playoffs, will be forced back into a starter’s role Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers.
Burnett was kept on the Yankees playoff roster for just this type of event. If another starter sustained an injury or in the case of a rainout, New York was prepared to call on Burnett to start a game during the ALDS.
The Yankees confirmed yesterday that ace C.C. Sabathia would pitch game three in Detroit tonight, leaving them in need of a fourth starter for Tuesday’s game. The issue arose from the fact that Friday’s game was suspended in the second inning due to rain. Sabathia’s first start was, in essence, canceled out, and everyone else in the rotation was pushed up.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi says he has total confidence in Burnett, who was beat out for the final spot in the Yankees three-man playoff rotation by Freddy Garcia.
Burnett struggled with inconsistency in 2011, and finished the year with an ERA of 5.11. But, Burnett did show signs of improvement in September. Following his horrible August (11.91 ERA), Burnett ended the season with a more respectable earned run average of 4.30 last month, striking out 36 batters over his 29.1 innings pitched.
With the series heading to Detroit, Burnett will face off against Tigers young right-hander Rick Porcello Tuesday night.
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