CC Sabathia, Jon Lester or Felix Hernandez

It is in all sports fans nature to question every move a manger makes or doesn’t make. How many times the day after the game do you vent to your family, friends and co-workers about some decision a manager made or didn’t make and how you would have done it different? Why did or didn’t he bunt? Why did or didn’t he bring that pitcher in? Why did or didn’t he pinch hit? We are the best “Monday Morning Quarterbacks” in the world. That is why we live, eat and breathe sports.

Let’s test your managerial skills. It is the seventh game of the World Series (how do you like that, spring training hasn’t started yet and I have you thinking about October) You’re the manager of the team, any team, you pick, it doesn’t have to be the Red Sox. The opposing pitcher is Cliff Lee. You already know that one or two runs is going to decide who wins and who loses. On your staff, you have CC Sabathia, Jon Lester and Felix Hernandez (don’t we all wish). Arguably the top three pitchers in the American League. The fate of your team is in your hands. Who do you hand the ball to?

Now before you decide, let me share a few facts about each player. Information provided below is from www.baseball-reference.com

CC Sabathia – 2007 Cy Young award winner. Four time All-Star. Ace of the Yankees starting rotation. Thirty years young will be thirty one come October.

Career Regular Season Averages based on 162 games are:
Wins-Losses – 17-9
Games started per year – 34
Innings pitched – 225
ERA – 3.57

Total Post Season Numbers:
Wins-Loses – 7-4
ERA – 4.66

World Series:
Wins-Losses – 0-1
ERA – 3.29

Jon Lester – Fourth place 2010 Cy Young award. Ace of the Red Sox starting rotation. Twenty seven years young. In 2006, his rookie year, Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a treatable cancer, in the middle of the season. After winning the battle of cancer, came back in 2007 and won the final game of the World Series against the Colorado Rockies.

Career Regular Season Averages based on 162 games are:
Wins-Losses – 17-7
Games started per year – 34
Innings pitched – 211
ERA – 3.55

Total Post Season Numbers:
Wins-Loses – 2-3
ERA – 4.00

World Series:
Wins-Losses – 1-0
ERA – 0.00

Felix Hernandez – 2010 Cy Young Award Winner. Twenty four year old Seattle Mariners phenom is considered amongst many as the best pitcher in the game today. King Felix only All- Star appearance was in 2009.

Career Regular Season Averages based on 162 games are:
Wins-Losses – 14-10
Games started per year – 34
Innings pitched – 228
ERA – 3.20

Felix has never been afforded the opportunity to shine in the national spotlight of Post Season play.

It’s game day, vote for who you would choose. Do you go with your gut or do you go with the averages? I would love to hear feedback on who you chose and why.