Will the real C.C. please stand up.

[DawgOnKing]

Today we find out about C.C. and his ability to pitch in the big game. Watching the Sports Reporters this morning, they seemed to think that C.C. would pitch well, as if it were a given.

I was especially surprised that Bob Ryan (Boston Honk) made no mention of C.C.'s last two starts in big games. Games played against his Red Sox in the ALCS last year. Games that C.C. was blown up in, to the tune of 12 ER in 10.1 IP. Games that the Tribe eventually lost. His ERA in 3 post season starts last year was 8.80.

Regardless of how he performs, C.C. will be the most targeted SP in baseball this offseason. His total 2008 numbers certainly warrant that. And while I believe the guy will end up in one of two places: NY or the Bay, some think there's a small shot of his return to Cleveland.

My point in this post is simply this: if Carsten Charles gets the hook in anything less then 8 solid innings pitched today, I say we save our offer, as futile as it is.

FWIW, I think he gets knocked around and takes the loss.

 

[-Akronite-]

Regardless of what's about to happen, we should make a run at CC. I mean, he's a great pitcher and he might actually want to come back if we make the right deal finally. Fat chance, but it's be great if Cliff kept it going, Fausto bounced back, and CC was in town again. That would leave Westbrook and our younger pitchers as question marks, but it's be a great rotation regardless.

 

[Da_James_Gang]

CC pitched a great game while the mets blew it down the strecth again. Even though the indians didn't make the playoffs, it feels good that neither new york team made it. Now we just need the white sox to miss out and a first round exit by boston...

 

[B Mac]

There is zero change we get CC.

 

[ohbarrett]

There is zero change we get CC.

There's also zero chance we'll get CC.

 

[-KingofKings23-]

C.C pitched one heck of a ball game. Congrats to the Brewers on making the playoffs. Wow the Mets are horrible at closing seasons out with the lead in the Wild Card. Hats off to the Brewers though.

 

[Lee]

There's also zero chance we'll get CC.

there is a 1% chance we get CC. Never 0% chance on these type of things, just extremely unlikely.

 

[Deezus]

While some of CC's failures in last year's postseason can be attributed to a lack of ability to pitch in "big games," the single greatest reason he pitched poorly was fatigue. Wedge continued to run up Sabathia's pitch counts last year until CC eventually led MLB with 241 innings pitched.

How have his managers responded in Milwaukee this year? Well, yet again, CC leads MLB with 253 innings pitched. I love him as a player, but doubt that he'll be able to continue pitching at his normal level deep into the playoffs. This leads to another question: how many years of him leading the league in IP before that shoulder starts to wear down?

 

[PIP]

Can't get through 4 innings in a playoff game....

There's the Sabathia we all know and love...

 

[ice cream man]

^^^^
CC's a different pitcher than last year. Let's face it. I believe that Grand Slam was on a 92mph fastball. CC won't make an excuse. But his 4th game straight on 3 days rest. That's ridiculous. No pitcher can dominate like that. It was only a matter of time.

 

[chiefwahoo]

He logged a ton of innings leading up to the postseason last year too. But true big-time pitchers earn their rep in the playoffs. He's ultimately not a guy you want to pin $20M+/year on and so the Indians made the best of the situation. And you can't fault the Brewers for riding him as hard as they did... they got back to the postseason for the first time in 26 years to earn a likely NLDS sweep. Where's TJ when we need him?

 

[cavincali]

He logged a ton of innings leading up to the postseason last year too. But true big-time pitchers earn their rep in the playoffs. He's ultimately not a guy you want to pin $20M+/year on and so the Indians made the best of the situation. And you can't fault the Brewers for riding him as hard as they did... they got back to the postseason for the first time in 26 years to earn a likely NLDS sweep. Where's TJ when we need him?

Dont make excuses for the fat-ass. He was lights out for them, and then when the games really count he sucks.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Dont make excuses for the fat-ass. He was lights out for them, and then when the games really count he sucks.

Show me where I made any excuses for him. I just said he's not a big-game pitcher and doesn't deserve the next huge contract he gets.

 

[DawgOnKing]

Yeah, I was a couple days late in my initial prediction. I agree however, that 4 starts in two weeks is just asking for what happened last night.

 

[Jon]

I thought CC's problem in the past with big games was that he'd get too pumped up and start overthrowing and lose his control.

Being too pumped shouldn't have been a problem ...

Ahh well, there's no point paying $$$$$ for an ace if they can't do the one thing you need them to do: win 2-3 games in each playoff series.