A Kenny Rogers Medley

After sitting on the bench for 20+ minutes during a 6 run rally, Joe sent A.J. Burnet back out to pitch the bottom of the 7th. With the ALCS on the line and with a well rested pen, Burnet is the last guy to trust to hold a lead. He more than any other current pitcher has the reputation, well earned, for finding ways to lose command when it's most needed.

Was Joe is Joe a little sensitive about going to the pen after getting scalded in the media, including YES, after his game 3 fiasco - or did he "learn" something from the outstanding results Socia got from pulling Lackey over strenuous objection?

But, once again, Joe snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with a rookie mistake. Joe has much to learn about managing on the big stage of the post season and a lesson he needs to learn quickly is to know when to hold 'em and, as Kenny knows, when to fold 'em.

-VK