NEW YORK -- Even on a day when not one pitch was thrown in anger, the managerial wheels were grinding in the American League Championship Series.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms rolled through the Bronx last evening, postponing Game 6 between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels, changing the dynamic of not only this series but of any World Series matchup that emerges.
Game 6 will go tonight at Yankee Stadium and both managers -- Joe Girardi, of the Yanks and Mike Scioscia of the Angels -- have elected to stick with the pitchers who were slated to pitch last night.
That means lefties Andy Pettitte and Joe Saunders will oppose each other, even though C.C. Sabathia, clearly the best Yankee pitcher all year but especially in the post-season, will be held in reserve.
If there is a Game 7 tomorrow, Sabathia will pitch for New York and Scioscia left little doubt he would counter with his ace, John Lackey, on three days rest.
The obvious question is "Why not pitch Sabathia today?" He's the best, he's well-rested and the Yankees' best chance to end it tonight.
"We think the extra day will help him," Girardi said. "he worked on short rest the last time."
On the other hand, Pettitte also is well-rested and if the Yankees are able to win it in six, it will allow Girardi to pencil Sabathia in for Games 1, 4 and 7 against Philadelphia.
If Sabathia has to pitch again in this series, whether it was today or tomorrow, the best Girardi can hope for is two World Series starts from his ace.
Given that potential, the Phillies will be in full Angel Rally Monkey mode tonight, hoping the Angels can at least force Game 7 so the Yankees have to use up Sabathia.
"Obviously, to play in the next round, you have to get through this series," Girardi said. "Andy has pitched in a ton of big, big games in his career. We just like him in this spot. We're not looking ahead. I don't think you can afford to look ahead."
You don't want to look back either, Joe, or at least you don't want to think about it. In three regular-season starts against the Angels this year, Pettitte was 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA. In Game 3 of this series, the Yanks lost 5-4, though Pettitte pitched into the seventh inning and left when the game was tied 3-3.
In his two starts in this series against Los Angeles, Sabathia is 2-0, going eight innings in both starts, allowing nine hits and a grand total of two runs in the 16 innings, with a 1.13 ERA.
The rainout probably benefits the Angels because it gives them a greater chance to get Lackey back into play. He pitched Thursday and Scioscia intimated that he might even use him in a critical situation tonight.
"We'll get through Game 6," Scioscia said. "No sense talking about Game 7. We'll know better after (tonight's) game."
For much of yesterday, there were hopeful signs that the weather might break in time for last night's first pitch. But as evening approached the intermittent rain turned into a downpour. Today's forecast is for clear skies and a game-time temperature of 13C.
"The worst part of it is just the wait," Pettitte said. "This was the longest day ever. I was just about to get started on my (pre-game) routine when they told me it was cancelled."
Scioscia agreed.
"I think we've played, what? Eight games in 20 days? Twenty days for eight games? I think that's the wrong template for baseball."
KEN.FIDLIN@SUNMEDIA.CA
