The talk in the offseason was all about C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and how they would reinvent the New York Yankees starting rotation. Andy Pettitte? Well he was an afterthought. That afterthought has again shown that he is a winner and a steady member of the rotation that eats innings and wins games. Pettitte is still one of the important ingredients for this team.
At 36 (he turns 37 on June 15) Pettitte may not be the pitcher he was a few years ago, but with a 4-1 record he is the winningest pitcher on the staff and has averaged more than 6 innings per start. His 4.30 ERA is more than respectible. Andy is not a top of the rotation guy anymore but putting him up against other teams number 4 or 5 starters gives the Yankees a huge advantage.
When you look at successful teams, in addition to having a solid number 1 and 2 pitcher, they also have that "Steady Eddie" guy at the back of their rotation that can eat up innings and give your team a chance to win almost everytime they start. Andy Pettitte has become that guy for the Bronx Bombers. I look at the Phillies with Jamie Moyer and the Red Sox with Tim Wakefield. Compare the three and the Yankees are way ahead of the game! Hopefully Pettitte can continue to be this guy for the Yankees for years to come!
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