The summer classic is over, so it’s time to get set for the second half of the baseball season. One of the bright spots for the Yankees in particular has been CC Sabathia, who was a huge question mark heading into the season. At age 35 and coming off a rocking season filled with injuries and a trip to rehab, no one knew what to expect from the former ace.
Sabathia, along with Masahiro Tanaka, has been holding the pitching staff together. Like any decent human being, I am happy to see Sabathia healthy and sober, and his start to the season was a pleasant surprise to fans and the team. Adding a knee brace to help his bad knee has made a world of difference on top of being in great shape.
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He’s currently second in ERA and innings pitched amongst the Yankees rotation this year; if he can keep it up in the second half of the season, this has the makings of a great comeback story. I still think the Yankees should be sellers in the second half and go younger, but if he keeps performing this well they’ll be hard-pressed to not try and grab a wild card spot. His recent performances – even with his huge contract – can make him trade bait for a team looking for that 3rd or 4th starter heading into October.
His last few starts are the exception and not the rule for him this year. A major factor in poor play, not just for him but Tanaka as well, is rest. Giving these pitchers an extra day here or there is big, so they can generate their best performances. Sabathia got into trouble last year when he started giving up a ton of home runs, an issue which has crept back over the last few starts.
Sports fans love to see a person who has fallen get back up and fight. That is what CC Sabathia is doing this season. Father time is undefeated in all sports, but to watch a competitor go out fighting is good to see. This is a guy that some people think will one day be at Cooperstown, but for now he is a leading name in the comeback player of the year. Almost everyone knows someone who has battled alcoholism, and having a professional athlete battling it and winning is inspiring to many.
If I were a betting man, I’d say CC Sabathia stays on the Yankees staff and ends the season strong. I look forward to seeing how things turn out for one of my favorite Yankees.
For more Yankees talk, follow Joe Cardoso on Twitter @Cright.
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