Much rests on the matchup of Pavano, Pettitte

It will be the 36th postseason appearance for the Yankees starter, whose stats remain amazingly consistent over the years.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: October 11, 2009 - 8:21 AM

Print this story

today's pitching matchup pavano vs. pettitte

More from Twins

Tonight's spotlight will glare into Carl Pavano's eyes as he tries to stave off elimination for the Twins against the team that openly questioned his toughness in four injury-plagued seasons in New York.

Meanwhile, the Twins are facing a pitcher they haven't defeated in eight years. Yankees lefthander Andy Pettitte's last loss to the Twins came April 30, 2001.

"When you look at their lineup, obviously they have some guys that have some pop," Pettitte said. "They keep coming at you, they don't give up and they usually make the plays. And those are the teams that are tough to beat."

Pettitte's biggest start against Minnesota came in Game 2 of the 2003 ALDS. After the Twins won Game 1 at Yankee Stadium, Pettitte matched Brad Radke in a 1-1 duel until the Yankees scored three in the seventh inning for a 4-1 victory.

Pettitte, 37, remains strikingly similar to his 2003 self. He went 21-8 that year, compared to 14-8 this year, but his secondary numbers are very close.

In 2003, Pettitte's ERA was 4.02 ERA; this year's was 4.16.

In 2003, his WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) was 1.33; this year's was 1.38.

In 2003, his average fastball was 89.5 miles per hour; this year's was 89.0 mph, according to www.fangraphs.com.

In 2003, he averaged 7.8 strikeouts and 2.2 walks per nine innings; this year's totals were 6.8 and 3.5, so he is walking more hitters, suggesting a patient approach for the Twins.

This will be Pettitte's 36th career postseason appearance, so he might seem like an October fixture. But he's appeared in just one postseason game since his start for Houston in the 2005 World Series.

That was Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS at Cleveland. Pettitte pitched 6 1/3 tough innings, but that was the infamous "Midges Game," when the bugs swarmed Joba Chamberlain and the Indians rallied for a 2-1, 11-inning victory.

Pettitte's only start against the Twins this year came May 18 at Yankee Stadium. Glen Perkins gave up six runs in the first inning, but the Twins scored four runs on 12 hits in Pettitte's 6 2/3 innings, before falling 7-6 in a four-game sweep for New York.

Delmon Young is batting .643 (9-for-14) for his career off Pettite, Brendan Harris .471 (8-for-17), Joe Mauer .400 (4-for-10), Michael Cuddyer .357 (5-for-14, including a home run May 18) and Carlos Gomez .300 (3-for-10). Jason Kubel is hitless in three at-bats against Pettitte.

Recent Twins stories

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - October 11, 2009

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon wants to come back, but will explore other options - Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday. The whole scene made him a little wistful. More