An MLB spokesperson just announced that Hiroki Kuroda will be in the interview room at 4:30 as the Yankees Game 2 starter in the ALCS. So there you have it.
Hiroki Kuroda is Game 2 starter for the Yankees
That means Kuroda be pitching on three days’ rest, which is interesting since the team had actually been stretching him out and because he’s never started on short rest in his big league career.
That obviously creates the question of whether CC Sabathia will start Game 3 on short rest, or will Joe Girardi start Phil Hughes or even throw David Phelps out there?
In any case, it’s interesting that Kuroda is tabbed for Game 2 and on short rest. At age 37 and having pitched in Japan when the players are stretched out even more, it doesn’t seem to be a perfect solution on paper.
Of note is that Kuroda has been far better at home this year as opposed to the road: He went 11-6 with a 2.72 ERA, throwing two shutouts at Yankee Stadium. While on the road, he went 5-5 with a 4.73, giving up almost as many hits despite throwing 45 fewer innings.
With Monday being an offday, that would give Girardi the ability to have his relievers rested if he has to tap them early and often on Sunday if the Kuroda experiment doesn’t work.
-Amy K. Nelson
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