Boone's bullpen management to be tested in G4
NEW YORK -- The decision to place backup catcher Austin Romine on the mound for the final three outs of Monday night's 16-1 loss in Game 3 of the American League Division Series was made with the next day in mind, as the Yankees will take an "all-hands-on-deck" approach to
NEW YORK -- The decision to place backup catcher
"Obviously, we know how good our bullpen is and things like that," Sabathia said. "But in my mind, when I start the game, I start the game to finish the game. That's just how I am."
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Sabathia understands that a complete-game effort almost certainly will not happen, and so Boone is prepared to turn the keys over to a relief crew that was vaunted as one of the most promising reasons the Yankees could have a deep run this October.
By utilizing
"Obviously, you hate doing something like [pitching Romine]," Boone said. "But we just felt like not wanting to use Robbie, Britton, Dellin or Chappy in that spot, knowing we're going to want them all potentially up to a couple of innings tomorrow if we need it. So that's what went into that."
In addition, J.A. Happ could be a long man out of the bullpen after throwing 44 pitches in his abbreviated Game 1 start, with
• If Sabathia gets through 3: Betances for 2, Robertson for 2, Britton for 1, Chapman for 1
• If Sabathia gets through 4: Betances for 2, Robertson for 1, Britton for 1, Chapman for 1
• If Sabathia gets through 5: Betances for 2, Britton for 1, Chapman for 1
There is some flexibility in the number of outs each pitcher could get, but you'll notice the key ingredient is Betances, who has proven himself to again be a dominant weapon at any point. He worked innings five and six in the AL Wild Card Game, and the sixth in Game 2 of the ALDS at Fenway Park. No matter what, the Yankees will find a way to get to him.
"He's one of the best relievers in the game, throwing the ball really well," Boone said. "So any time there's a big spot or a part of the order that scares you a little bit, he's a guy I'm really comfortable giving the ball to. ... He's certainly known as a guy that -- especially when it gets thick, we're very comfortable giving the ball to right now."
Bryan Hoch has covered the Yankees for MLB.com since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and on Facebook.