Yankees worried they may have to weather another storm

The threat of rain not only could mess with tonight's American League Division Series Game 1 between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, it could shake up the rosters – if the timing is right.

At the least, it could give Yankees manager Joe Girardi an uneasy day, not to mention some soggy flashbacks while waiting to send CC Sabathia to the mound.





And expect the Weather Channel to take priority over NFL games on the manager's office TV leading up to the scheduled 6:15 p.m. first pitch.

That's emphasis on "scheduled" because daylong showers triggered by a cold front are forecast, and they're not anticipated to clear out until after 9 p.m. With temperatures expected to dip to around 50 degrees, hitters could be even more uncomfortable facing Sabathia and Baltimore starter Jason Hammel.

That would be the simplest of scenarios, but the alternatives get more complicated, beginning with the one Girardi already has experienced.

Sabathia started Game 1 of last year's ALDS against Detroit, but that was suspended in the third inning because of rain after he threw 27 pitches. The game was completed the next night – under the rainout rules in place for the postseason – and Sabathia tried to come back to start Game 3.

He lasted into the sixth inning of a loss charged to the Yankees bullpen and wasn't sharp, allowing seven hits, six walks and four runs as the Tigers took a 2-games-to-1 lead in a series they won in five games.

A complete rainout is preferable to players and managers, but it would add to the roster decisions both Girardi and Orioles manager Buck Showalter have delayed in anticipation of the possible weather issues.

"Weather could change things if, all of a sudden, you had to play five days in a row," Girardi said.

That's what would happen – with Tuesday's travel day between Games 2 and 3 in the best-of-five series wiped out.
Right now, Sabathia and Hammel could return to pitch Game 5. With a rainout, the choice is pitching them on three days' rest instead of the usual four or using a fifth starter.

"If we have some rain issues, the roster would change more than likely," said Showalter, who has been building his rotation around injury issues and matchups almost day-by-day for several weeks.

"Come on, I just gave you the first one and now you're moving on to the next one," Showalter said when asked Saturday about his pitching plans beyond Hammel, who will be making his first start since Sept. 11 and third since July 13 because of knee issues.

Showalter did say he's leaning toward Wei-Yin Chen in Game 2, followed by Miguel Gonzalez. That makes Joe Saunders, the winner in Friday's wild-card game at Texas, the favorite for Game 4.

A rainout, as long as it comes before the game starts, would mean both managers must consider including another starting pitcher on their 25-man rosters, one they might otherwise leave off in favor of a reliever or bench player. David Phelps is the most likely choice for the Yankees, while Chris Tillman would be at the top of Showalter's list, though he might also consider Steve Johnson.