Joe Girardi and the Yankees are praying that A.J. Burnett will be able to return to his summer form come playoff time.
After a dominant stretch from June 14 until August 7, in which he went 6-2 and posted a 2.32 ERA, the Yankees' hard-throwing righty has been dreadful on a regular basis. Entering today's game, Burnett had allowed 25 earned runs in 36.1 innings in his six starts following the gem he tossed against Boston on August 7. He was 1-3 in those starts.
The month-long disaster continued this afternoon, when Burnett surrendered six earned runs in seven innings. Known as a strikeout pitcher, Burnett only fanned four Orioles.
The former Blue Jay has struggled with his control, and, as a result, hitters are having an easy time teeing off—nine batters have sent a Burnett pitch into orbit in his last seven starts. During his hot streak of 12 outings, the righty allowed only three home runs.
With 19 games left in the regular season, Burnett has about three or four starts remaining to regain his composure and dominance; the Yankees' World Series aspirations could be denied if he can't.
When Burnett's pitching hits a skid, the Yankee rotation becomes debilitated to the point where the Detroit Tigers, their current Division Series opponent, have a more reliable top three starters.
Justin Verlander is the best pitcher in the current AL playoff field; however, teammate Edwin Jackson posts a superior ERA. Together, along with standout rookie Rick Porcello, the Tigers have a rotation capable of shutting down the Yankee offense.
A hot CC Sabathia, a cooling off Andy Pettitte, a struggling Burnett, and an erratic Joba Chamberlain might not be able to beat the Tigers' "Big Three."
Although the Tigers' offense should not be mentioned in the same breath as that of the Yankees, Detroit's pitching versus the Yankees' lack of pitching could make the series interesting.
As long as Burnett gathers himself, the Yankee rotation will be able to beat any postseason offense. However, if Burnett continues to struggle, pressure will mount on Sabathia and Pettitte to win every postseason game they start. Easier said than done.
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