Girardi Facing Criticism Amongst Pivotal Game 4.

October 20, 2009
The Monday Morning Quarterback
 
Amongst a critical game 4, all the buzz in New York is about Joe Girardi's move to replace pitcher David Robertson with Alfredo Aceves in the 11th inning of game 3 Monday.  Robertson coasted to two quick outs in the inning before Girardi hooked him in favor of Aceves.  Aceves gave up a pair of doubles which plated the game winning run for the Angels.  Girardi appeared to check his notebook, and liked the matchup of Aceves vs Howie Kendrick better, a move which backfired.  This marks the second straight game that Girardi used eight pitchers, leaving Chad Gaudin as the lone Yankee to not make an appearance in the series.  With C.C. Sabathia scheduled to start tonight on three days rest, it appears as if the Yankees bullpen will be a little short if Sabathia runs into early trouble.  Gaudin will be a fresh arm in the pen, but beyond him, everyone is less than 100%.  Girardi's reputation for over-managing is coming to a head as impatient New York fans are starting to turn on the man who lead their teams to 103 wins this season.  If the Yankees don't win the World Series, Joe Girardi will be on the hot seat, and his successful regular season campaign may not be enough to save him.  Girardi has never been a truly popular manager in New York and his oddball moves in the postseason is starting to turn fans against him.  WFAN 660 and ESPN 1050 in New York were littered with calls from Yankee fans frustrated with their managers' decision making on Tuesday.  Nine years without a World Series is a lifetime to Yankees fans, and their patience is growing thin.  Joe Girardi needs to get the job done this year if he has hopes of the Steinbrenners asking him back.  Game 4 is just about to get underway and it remains to be seen how Joe Girardi will handle this crucial game.  The Yanks, behind C.C. Sabathia, are looking to take control of this series, while the Angels, behind Scott Kazmir, look to tie this thing up, making it a brand new series.  This should be interesting.  Here are tonight's lineups:

NYY

Jeter-SS
Damon-LF
Teixeira-1B
A. Rodriguez-3B
Posada-C
Matsui-DH
Cano-2B
Swisher-RF
M. Cabrera-CF

Sabathia-SP


LAA

Figgins-3B
Abreu-RF
Hunter-CF
Guerrero-DH
J. Rivera-LF
Kendrick-2B
Morales-1B
Napoli-C
E. Aybar-SS

Kazmir-SP