AJ Burnett Told No Thank You By Yankees

The Yankees have decided to start CC Sabathia on short rest rather than giving AJ Burnett a game 4 start. Burnett had just about his worst professional season in 2010 during the second year of his 5-year, $82.5 million contract. His 5.26/4.83/4.66 (ERA/FIP/xFIP) line is the worst of his career and, perhaps even more concerning, he struck out much fewer (6.99 K/9) than his career average (8.34 K/9). His walk and strand rates were right along his career norms and his BABIP (.319) wasn't wildly unlucky. He simply stopped striking hitters out this year.

So the Yanks will give Sabathia and 38-year-old Andy "Come On, You Know You Want To" Pettitte 2 starts if necessary against the Twins and they'll mix in a game 3 start from Phil Hughes. How the Yankees can spend $3 billion on payroll and not find a quality fourth starter baffles me. I suppose that will be corrected this off-season when they write Cliff Lee a blank check.

In a rather amusing turn of events, the Yankees will face former "employee" and blog enemy Carl Pavano. Pavano is enjoying a nice bounce back season for the Twins sporting a decent 3.75/4.02/4.01 pitching line. And with a 17-11 record, he'll most likely receive way too many Cy Young votes. Which I will find hilarious because it will make Derwood's head explode.

Curveballs for Jobu

Curveballs for Jobu is Offbasepercentage's daily trip around the ballparks.

Today's honorary bat boy is Giomar Guevara and he's here to wish Sweet Lou a happy retirement. I think, I don't understand the Spanish.

Hey kids, I'm back with another uplifting version of Jobu. Let's see how many games I can get through before I mention a relief pitcher melting down. I'll set the over/under at 0.

Braves 16, Cubs 5. Jason Heyward and Omar Infante crashed Lou Piniella's retirement party by both slugging a pair of homers. Heyward went 4-4 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI and 2 walks. Infante went 4-6 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Justin Berg relieved any doubts Piniella might have had about retiring as the pitcher threw 1.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and a walk. For those keeping score at home, I made it through half of a game so I hope you took the over.

Yankees 10, Mariners 0. Robinson Cano led the offensive onslaught of the Bronx Bombers against the hapless M's. Cano went 2-5 with a home run and 6 RBI. CC Sabathia tossed 6 shutout innings while striking out 8 for his 17th win of the season. If CC can sink his ERA below 3.00 and hit 20 wins, I bet he undeservedly wins the Cy Young.

Phillies 6, Nationals 0. Roy Oswalt threw 7 shut out innings on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8. See, I occasionally mix in some good pitching with the ugly. The explosive Nationals' offense led by Roger Bernadina and Adam Kennedy couldn't get much momentum going so they comfortably remain the third worst team at scoring in the National League. Chase Utley: DNP.

Royals 3, White Sox 2 (10). The 2 teams that strikeout the fewest combined for 19 yesterday. Zack Greinke struck out nine in 8 innings while John Danks, Bobby Jenks and Scott Linebrink teamed up to strikeout 10 Royals. Wilson Betemit hit his 8th home run of the season and owns a .346/.425/.577 line. Somewhere Derwood shakes his head in confusion.