Cream Pied

The New York Yankees will begin another playoff run and attempt to gain their 28th World Series title.  They are probably still the favorites to win the American League, despite being the Wild Card team and not having home field advantage in any series.  They have Minnesota in the first round, who has been their personal whipping boy the past few years in the regular season and playoffs.  Some might think the Yankees will continue their success over the Twins, yet others might believe the Twins are finally due.  It was only a year ago when the Yankees overcame their personal demons against the Angels.  The Twins play in a brand new stadium now, so maybe their luck is about to change.  They also catch the Yankees in a year where they are very vulnerable in the starting rotation.  It is a major weakness, and could result in their downfall.     

One thing not holding back the Yankees will be A.J Burnett.  It was a great decision by them not to start him.  He has been awful this year and does not deserve to pitch in the series.  It is amazing to think a guy making $80 million can not get a start in the playoffs.  His contract is almost Met-like.  It is almost as bad as the Oliver Perez contract.  However, unlike the Mets, the Yankees banish their mistakes.  The Yankees are all about winning championships and will never let a players contract get in the way of it.  They will not risk Burnett going to the mound and having one of his usual meltdowns.  We always hear how he has such great stuff and so much potential, but reality tells us that he is an average pitcher.  For every great start, he will have 3 or 4 terrible ones.  There is no way they can risk starting him in the series.  He will sit on the bench and do what he does best; give cream pies to teammates after victories.  He will have plenty of time making them in the clubhouse.