April usually is the worst month for CC Sabathia (career ERA of 4.41) and it appeared this would continue after his opening night start in Boston. Since then he nearly threw a no hitter and toyed around with the Texas Rangers, no slouch of an offensive ballclub. Who knows how good last night’s line would have been if rain didn’t spoil the evening. At the age of 30 could CC Sabathia be headed for his most complete season in baseball?
Even in his best years Sabathia has been streaky and given up a good number of hits per nine innings. He can do that with the Yankees and still win thanks to a tremendous offense. To date, his best pitching was 2008 in Milwaukee where he singlehandedly carried the Brew Crew to the playoffs. Even that year, which he started in Cleveland, he had an ERA of nearly 8.00 in early May.
Through 3 games Sabathia has his strikeout rate up from last year (8.5) which puts him back to his Cleveland days. His walks are down (1.9 per 9) and never has he given up less than 7 hits per nine innings (even in the NL).Currently he is at 4.5.
I know its way early, but great pitchers sometimes bring it all together and enhance their performance even further. We saw that with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson as they entered their 30+ years. I thought Johan Santana was headed for something similar, but injuries have set him back.
Yes, it’s only 3 games, but I don’t think I will be questioning Sabathia this year, as I did in 2009.
Original Story:
http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=23740
