Girardi Being Ridiculed for Pitching Changes

David Robertson earned the victory in game two of the ALCS going 1.1 innings and giving up just one hit and no runs with two walks. Yankees coach Joe Girardi went to Robertson in the 11th inning in game three but replaced him with Alfredo Aceves after Robertson successfully got the first two outs of the inning. Aceves pitched 1.1 innings in game two and gave up a run on a hit and two walks. Aceves couldn’t record the final out of the 11th and gave up two hits, including Jeff Mathis’ game-winning double.

Girardi has bee going to his bullpen often during these playoffs. Three pitchers came in for one out each in game two and three pitchers came in for one out each in game three. Girardi has been questioned for the way he has used his bullpen but hasn’t taken heat for it because the Yankees have been winning. Now, after their first loss of the postseason, Girardi is being ridiculed for the way he used his bullpen in game three. He made a great choice by bringing in Mariano Rivera with a man on second and no outs in the 10th but how often does that choice not pan out? His choice to bring in Aceves for Robertson is what’s in question.

You could argue Girardi should have left Mariano in for the 11th but that’s pushing it after he pitched 2.1 innings in game two.

Here is what Girardi told Bombers Beat writer Bryan Hoch after the game:

“Yeah, we thought we had Mo for an inning. I didn’t feel that I could stretch him out any further than that in that situation because of what we did the other day with him. So he had that inning, and that was it. As far as Robertson, we like the match up with Ace better, the two guys. And it didn’t work.”

Girardi has made several questionable pitching changes this postseason but has lucked out that the Yankees have won. After their game three loss, Girardi will be ridiculed a bit for his bullpen management, or lack-thereof.

You can question Girardi about some moves he made with his bench too. It’s tough to swallow Brett Gardner getting thrown out on a pitchout but it was going to happen to Gardner at some point this postseason.