Andy, Not Feeling So Dandy

NEW YORK – Tonight’s loss doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. The Yankees should be more worried about Andy Pettitte’s health.

The 37-year-old hopes a little rest now will go a long way toward a healthy October. After several sparkling starts in the second half, Pettitte will be skipped in the rotation tomorrow. The Yankees said Tuesday that the left-hander has a “tired pitching shoulder.”

Instead, Chad Gaudin will get the call tomorrow night. Pettitte will be pushed back to Monday night and face the Angels on the road.

“I think they just think that with the rest, skipping a start, that that should clear it up,” Pettitte said prior to the game. "I definitely don't want to be standing out on the mound in a postseason game or a game during the year that might matter a little bit more, with my arm aching a little bit.”

Pain in the same shoulder hampered Pettitte during the second half last season and he went 2-7 with a 6.23 ERA in his final 11 starts.

This is cause for great concern, even if the Bombers are only being precautionary at this time. Pettitte has been very consistent, going 13-6 with a 4.14 ERA for the AL East leaders. He has thrown 178 1-3 innings in 29 starts and gives the Yankees a chance to hide Joba Chamberlain until the American League Championship series, assuming they win the Division Series.

The Yankees can go with three starters in the first round, likely lining up CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, 1-2, with Andy finishing off the trio in the third spot, breaking up the two lefty starters between the hard-throwing Burnett.

“It is a concern,” manager Joe Girardi said of Pettitte’s tired shoulder. “That’s why we chose to skip him. We want to knock this out sooner than later.”

They better. I still say Joba could dictate the entire outcome for New York in the postseason. If he’s solid, there’s no reason to think the Yankees can’t win it all. If he’s terrible, the Bombers, even with all their offense, could be in serious trouble, especially if he moves up to No. 3. That would give a team like Detroit, New York’s likely first round draw, an added advantage.

Let’s face it, Burnett has been inconsistent himself and has never pitched an inning of post-season baseball in his life, and Sabathia is still unproven come October.

Andy needs to be right. The Yankees have what it takes to win it all, but they are still very thin when it comes to starting pitching depth. I hope they don’t regret passing on Roy Halladay.

These are the kind of x-factors that make October baseball the crap shoot it really is.