It's still Spring Training, but it's more of the same: inconsistency for A.J. Burnett. Once again, Burnett will be a key to the Yankees' success this season. But I'm here to tell you that he's the number one key to the team in 2011. Why? You know what you're getting from C.C., Andy will always be clutch, Vazquez is just the fourth starter, but Burnett has to pitch like a number 2, not a number 5.
When Burnett is on, he's got some of the filthiest stuff in baseball. But when he's bad, he really is bad. The Yankees got away with having three starters in the playoffs because of the ridiculous amount of off days that Major League Baseball provides. Both the ALCS and World Series became interesting because Burnett threw up a couple of stinkers in clinching opportunities.
All we heard about this guy was that he's lights out against Boston. I guess that only happens when he's pitching north of the border. All I saw when Burnett pitched in Fenway was balls hitting the Green Monster, and A.J. muttering under his breath about how much he hates pitching to Posada. C.C. Sabathia is the team's ace. He's paid like it, and he pitches like it. But A.J. Burnett is not far behind in terms of his job this season. With the Red Sox featuring a staff of John Lackey (not signed by the Yankees for no reason), Josh Beckett, John Lester, and company, the Yankees' big three have to step it up to remain in the race all season.
Regardless, at least A.J. has been accurate since his arrival with the shaving cream to the face maneuver after each walk-off victory.
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