NEW YORK — CC Sabathia was fantastic in his first regular season with the Yankees. Now, it’s time for him to earn that $161 million contract.
The big left-hander will start New York’s playoff opener tonight against the Twins, with the heavy weight of World Series expectations resting squarely on his thick shoulders. One of baseball’s most durable aces, Sabathia has struggled in the postseason, going 2-3 with a 7.92 ERA in five starts with Cleveland and Milwaukee.
“This is what you come here for, to get that opportunity to get to win a championship,” Sabathia said Tuesday after a workout at Yankee Stadium. “We had a great year so far. We just have to keep it going.”
Sabathia joined the Yankees as a free agent last December and signed a huge contract to match his 6-foot-7, 290-pound frame. His seven-year deal was part of a $423.5 million spending spree that also brought slugger Mark Teixeira and pitcher A.J. Burnett to New York.
With those dollars come extra-large expectations — and plenty of pressure. Back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and the Yankees are favorites to win their 27th World Series title and first since 2000. It won’t be easy if Sabathia flops in October again.
“I’m definitely excited. But, like, I said this earlier, the opening day with the new Yankee Stadium and me being the free agent and the games against Boston, there and in here — I think all of those moments have helped me to prepare and led me up to this moment,” he said.
Holding home-field advantage throughout the postseason, the AL East champions had the choice of starting tonight or Thursday at 4:07 p.m. MDT. New York opted to get going right away with a series that has an extra day off between Games 1 and 2.
Sabathia, 29, helped the Yankees (103-59) build the best record in baseball this year. Stepping in smoothly at the top of the rotation, he went 19-8 to tie for the major-league lead in wins. He also ranked fourth in the AL in ERA (3.37) and innings pitched (230).
The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner had a chance to win 20 games for the first time, but he was roughed up for a season-high nine runs — five earned — and eight hits over 2 2/3 innings in his final start at Tampa Bay.
Sabathia has allowed 22 walks and 33 hits in 25 postseason innings. He struggled in October the past two years after throwing 241 innings during the 2007 regular season and 253 in 2008.
This time, his workload was less taxing.
“It’s a good thing,” Sabathia said. “The last couple of times I had a week in between starts. It definitely helps just to get that mental break of being able to come to the field and relax for a couple of days.”
Now, the pressure is on.
Division series
Best of five; all games on TBS; * if necessary
DODGERS VS. ST. LOUIS
Today: St. Louis (Carpenter 17-4) at Los Angeles (Wolf 11-7), 7:37 p.m.
Thursday: St. Louis (Wainwright 19-8) at Los Angeles (Kershaw 8-8), 4:07 p.m.
Saturday: Los Angeles at St. Louis (Piñeiro 15-12), 4:07 p.m.
*Sunday: Los Angeles at St. Louis
*Tuesday, Oct. 13: St. Louis at Los Angeles
YANKEES VS. TWINS
Today: Minnesota (Duensing 5-2 or Blackburn 11-11) at New York (Sabathia 19-8), 4:07 p.m.
Friday: Minnesota at New York (Burnett 13-9), 4:07 p.m.
Sunday: New York (Pettitte 14-8) at Minnesota
*Monday: New York at Minnesota
*Wednesday, Oct. 14: Minnesota at New York
ANGELS VS. RED SOX
Thursday: Boston (Lester 15-8) at Los Angeles (Lackey 11-8), 7:37 p.m. p.m.
Friday: Boston (Beckett 17-6) at Los Angeles (Weaver 16-8), 7:37 p.m.
Sunday: Los Angeles (Kazmir 10-9) at Boston (Buchholz 7-4)
*Monday: Los Angeles (Saunders 16-7) at Boston (Lester 15-8)
*Wednesday, Oct. 14: Boston at Los Angeles
