Behind the Cleveland Indians' trade of Cliff Lee

The Indians' window began closing the night of the fifth game of the 2007 ALCS. They were up 3-1 on the Red Sox, off a pounding of the Yankees and 97 regular-season wins. But on that one night all the innings and the wear on CC Sabathia came crashing down around his shoulders.Josh Beckett beat Sabathia 7-1 that night, and when they returned to Boston, the Red Sox outscored Cleveland 23-4 to move on to the World Series. Now, Sabathia is in New York, Cliff Lee in Philadelphia and, when the Cubs moved...

Yankees | Sabathia shelled

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees SP CC Sabathia allowed five earned runs on nine hits, two walks and fanned six in 5 2/3 innings in his loss to the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, July 28. He recorded his career 1,500th strikeout in the game.

Sabathia dropped to 10-7 while coughing up six runs - five earned

Sabathia dropped to 10-7 while coughing up six runs - five earned - on nine hits and two walks in 5.2 innings against the Rays on Tuesday. [...]

Sabathia dropped to 10-7 while coughing up six runs - five earned

Sabathia dropped to 10-7 while coughing up six runs - five earned - on nine hits and two walks in 5.2 innings against the Rays on Tuesday. [...]

Rays hit Sabathia hard, down surging Yankees (Reuters)

Reuters - The Tampa Bay Rays slowed down the surging New York Yankees with a 6-2 victory on Tuesday as they chased visiting pitcher CC Sabathia after five-plus innings.

Sabathia has off-night Tuesday

News: Yankees ace CC Sabathia had an off-night on Tuesday against the Rays. It happens. Sabathia picked up the loss to fall to 10-7 on the year as he allowed six runs – five earned – on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six. His ERA is up to 3.83. [...]

CC struggles in loss

CC Sabathia struggled on Tuesday as he dropped his seventh decision of the season. Sabathia went 5.2 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits while walking two and striking out six.

Our View: Not a great outing for CC, and he falls for the first time in his last three starts. He still has 10 wins on the season, and his 3.83 ERA is still very good. Expect these poor starts to be few and far between as the season wears on.

CC Sabathia allowed six runs -- five earned -- over 5 2/3 innings

CC Sabathia allowed six runs -- five earned -- over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-2 loss to the Rays on Tuesday night. Sabathia continues to have trouble against quality competition. [...]

Kazmir, Longoria star in Rays' 6-2 win

Scott Kazmir outpitched CC Sabathia to win for the first time in more than two months, and the Tampa Bay Rays slowed down the streaking New York Yankees with a 6-2 victory Tuesday night.

Sabathia earned his 10th win of the season Thursday against

Sabathia earned his 10th win of the season Thursday against the A's, holding Oakland to three runs in seven innings. [...]

Yankees | Sabathia picks up win despite giving up nine hits

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees SP CC Sabathia allowed three runs in seven innings Thursday, July 23, in a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics. He improved to 4-7 with a 6.09 ERA against Oakland. "I try not to let it play in my psyche, but they hit me well," Sabathia said. "I gave up nine hits, so there's definitely something going on."

Sabathia goes seven innings in win

News: Mark Teixeira homered and drove in three runs, CC Sabathia recovered from a shaky start and the Yankees extended their winning streak to seven Thursday night with a rain-delayed 6-3 victory over the Athletics. On a blustery night in the Bronx, Sabathia (10-6) allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings, improving to 4-7 in his career against Oakland. He struck out four and did not issue a walk in the game. [...]

CC Sabathia allowed three runs over seven innings as the Yankees

CC Sabathia allowed three runs over seven innings as the Yankees topped the Athletics 6-3 on Thursday night. Sabathia did a good job of pounding the strike zone, throwing 71 of 109 pitches for strikes while issuing zero walks and striking out four. [...]

Teixeira, Sabathia lead Yanks to 7th straight win

Mark Teixeira homered and drove in three runs, CC Sabathia recovered from a shaky start and the New York Yankees extended their winning streak to seven Thursday night with a rain-delayed 6-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Sabathia earns 10th win at home

CC Sabathia gave up three earned runs on nine hits over seven innings in Thursday's 6-3 win over the A's at Yankee Stadium. He had no walks and four strikeouts.

Our View: Sabathia earned his team-leading 10th win of the season, and is only one win away from tying his season total of 2008 with Milwaukee. He has won in two straight starts.

Brewers checking out Lee

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers are scouting Indians' ace Cliff Lee.

Our View: The Brew Crew sent a scout to watch Lee pitch against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night and were treated to a nine-inning, one-run performance by the Tribe's ace. The Brewers desperately need pitching and they likely don't have the prospects to land Roy Halladay (after trading most of them away for a CC Sabathia rental last season), so Lee would be a more feasible option.

Yankees | Sabathia pitches seven shutout innings Saturday

Bryan Hoch, of MLB.com, reports New York Yankees SP CC Sabathia pitched seven shutout innings Saturday, July 18, to pick up his ninth win of the season. He allowed five hits while striking out four batters and walked three in the game.

CC wins rare (first?) Yankee Stadium pitcher's duel

CC Sabathia went seven tough innings on Saturday, throwing 116 pitches, but allowed no runs to earn his ninth win of the season as the Yankees won 2-1 in New York.

Our View: It was a rare pitcher's duel at the new Yankee Stadium, and only CC's second win at home in 2009. Continuing a trend from 2009, he didn't strike out many batters, but also only allowed five hits.

Sabathia wins battle of aces

News: New York SP CC Sabathia beat Detroit's Justin Verlander in a battle of aces on Saturday. Sabathia was absolutely fantastic and Verlander was just great. Sabathia pitched seven shutout innings of five-hit ball and picked up the win to improve to 9-6 on the season. He walked three and had four strikeouts. Sabathia's ERA is at 3.66 on the year. [...]

CC Sabathia improved to 9-6 on the season by shutting out the

CC Sabathia improved to 9-6 on the season by shutting out the Tigers over seven innings on Saturday afternoon. Sabathia struck out four, walked three and surrendered five hits. [...]

Sabathia picked up his ninth win of the season on Saturday with

Sabathia picked up his ninth win of the season on Saturday with seven shutout innings against the Tigers. [...]

Sabathia entered his latest start with a 1-2 record and a 5.59

Sabathia entered his latest start with a 1-2 record and a 5.59 through three July starts, but a matchup with the Tigers was just what the doctor ordered. The big guy threw his first complete game as a Yankee when he last faced Detroit on April 27. The hefty lefty danced around trouble all afternoon (48 of his 114 pitches fell out of the zone) but was able to keep the ball in the yard and opposing hitters off balance. Sabathia is next scheduled to toe the rubber on July 23 against the light-hitting A's offense.

Sabathia looked like the ace the Yankees expected when he registered

Sabathia looked like the ace the Yankees expected when he registered six quality starts in nine outings from May 14-June 26. He’s 1-2 in three turns since then, but the Yankees should be in the thick of a pennant race throughout the second half, and Sabathia saves his best performances for when the stakes are highest.

Sabathia allowed five runs in 6.2 innings Sunday against the

Sabathia allowed five runs in 6.2 innings Sunday against the Angels, dropping his record to 8-6 this season. [...]

Yankees | Sabathia takes loss Sunday

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees SP CC Sabathia allowed five earned runs over 6 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Sunday, July 12, as he fell to 8-6 on the season. Sabathia allowed nine hits and three walks while striking out six in the game.

John Lackey pitched seven solid innings and the Angels knocked

News: John Lackey pitched seven solid innings and the Angels knocked around CC Sabathia to complete a sweep of New York with a 5-4 victory Sunday. Sabathia (8-6) gave up five runs and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings against the Angels, who have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Yankees in Anaheim. Sabathia, who was 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA away from Yankee Stadium entering the game, was solid through three innings. He got help from Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano on two double plays to get out of the first and third, but he gave up four runs in the fourth. Bobby Abreu and Howie Kendrick had RBI doubles and Brandon Wood and Robb Quinlan added RBI singles. Sabathia gave up nine hits and walked three. [...]

CC rocked by Halos

CC Sabathia was far from dominant on Sunday. He allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks over 6.2 innings and took the loss as the Yankees fell to the Angels 5-4.

Our View: CC is now 8-6 with a very human 3.86 ERA. He's not the same pitcher we saw last season carving up NL hitters, but he's worthy starting for any fantasy team. Perhaps he'll heat up once he's a little more adjusted to his new environment.

Sabathia, who lost to the Angels for the second time this year,

Sabathia, who lost to the Angels for the second time this year, was cruising until the fourth inning, when the Anaheim hitters got to him for four runs. Sunday’s outing was the second time in the last three starts that he surrendered at least five earned runs. The hulking southpaw – a notorious second-half stud -- enters the All-Star respite with a 3.86 ERA, 95/38 K/BB ratio and 1.15 WHIP.

Timely hitting, pitching earn Angels sweep

Yet another big inning, this time against Yankees ace CC Sabathia, and pressure pitching by John Lackey and the bullpen lifted the Angels to a 5-4 victory on Sunday and a series sweep of the Bronx Bombers at Angel Stadium.

Lackey holds down Yankees and Angels sweep

John Lackey pitched seven solid innings and the Los Angeles Angels knocked around CC Sabathia to complete a sweep of the New York Yankees with a 5-4 victory Sunday.

Halos look to repeat peformance vs. CC

The Angels pecked away at CC Sabathia the last time they faced him, as the powerful lefty got the loss. They're looking for a similar performance in the finale.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said A.J. Burnett will be the first

News: Yankees manager Joe Girardi said A.J. Burnett will be the first starter after the All-Star break, followed by CC Sabathia, Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte. [...]

Yankees | Sabathia continues success against Minnesota

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees SP CC Sabathia allowed a run on three hits, a walk and struck out three in seven innings to beat the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, July 7. He is 6-1 with a 1.70 ERA in his last seven starts in the Metrodome.

Aces, races and homers steal spotlight

Josh Beckett won his 10th. CC Sabathia dominated. The Cardinals extended their NL Central lead. Texas forced a tie in the AL West. And Paul Konerko homered thrice.

Aces, races and homers steal spotlight

Josh Beckett won his 10th. CC Sabathia dominated. The Cardinals extended their NL Central lead. The Rangers forced a tie in the AL West. And Paul Konerko homered thrice.

CC Sabathia allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and

News: CC Sabathia allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and the New York Yankees roughed up Minnesota starter Scott Baker in a 10-2 victory over the Twins on Tuesday night. Sabathia (8-5) showed that Friday's bad start was just a hiccup and the bottom third of the Yankees order had seven hits and six RBI in New York's sixth straight road victory. After giving up a season high 10 hits and six runs in a loss to Seattle in his last start, Sabathia steamrolled through the heart of the Twins lineup. The big left-hander held All-Stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau hitless in six combined at-bats. He allowed a solo homer to Michael Cuddyer in the second inning, but that was all the Twins could muster. Sabathia walked one and struck out three. [...]

CC Sabathia held the Twins to one run on three hits over seven

CC Sabathia held the Twins to one run on three hits over seven innings in a 10-2 win on Tuesday night. Following up a six-run performance against the Mariners last week, Sabathia delivered with one his most efficient outings of the season. [...]

Cuddyer blasts 14th homer in loss

Michael Cuddyer went 1-for-4 with a solo homer off CC Sabathia in tonight's 10-2 loss to the Yankees at the Metrodome.

Our View: Cuddyer hit a homer in three of his five games this month, and has 14 for the season. He should remain a solid source for power among fantasy outfielders.

CC Sabathia was dealing in a win Tuesday, yielding three hits

CC Sabathia was dealing in a win Tuesday, yielding three hits and one earned run with a walk and three Ks over seven frames to move to 8-5.

Analysis: Five days after getting rocked by the Mariners for six earned runs, Sabathia was very sharp in this one, surrendering the one run on a solo shot to Michael Cuddyer. He didn’t put up the big strikeout numbers he had been compiling recently, but he notched the win while upping his K/BB ratio to 89/35. While he hasn’t been as dominant as owners would hope, opposing hitters entered Tuesday batting just .231 vs. the hulking southpaw. Sabathia is on track to take one more turn in the rotation before the All-Star break on July 12 vs. the Angels in Anaheim.

Yankees ride CC to rout of Twins

CC Sabathia allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and the Yankees' offense banged out 16 hits in a 10-2 rout of the Twins on Tuesday. Every starter had a hit, with Mark Teixeira leading the way, going 4-for-6 with two RBIs.

Sabathia, Yankees stomp Twins 10-2

CC Sabathia allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and the New York Yankees roughed up Minnesota starter Scott Baker in a 10-2 victory over the Twins on Tuesday night.

Franklin Gutierrez and Russell Branyan homered, leading the

News: Franklin Gutierrez and Russell Branyan homered, leading the Seattle Mariners past CC Sabathia and the Yankees 8-4 on Thursday night to snap New York's seven-game winning streak. Ichiro Suzuki hit a two-run double that was misplayed by center fielder Melky Cabrera, and Chris Woodward added two RBI as the Mariners handed Sabathia (7-5) his second loss in 11 starts. The first pitch was delayed 36 minutes due to threatening storms, though they never brought rain. Sabathia entered 6-1 with a 2.82 ERA in his previous 10 outings, but he struggled right from the start. Suzuki opened the game with a line-drive double off Mark Teixeira's glove at first base. He stole third and scored on Jose Lopez's soft groundout between the mound and first. It marked the first time the Yankees trailed since the top of the sixth inning June 24 in Atlanta. Sabathia was charged with 10 hits, six runs and three walks while striking out eight. [...]

CC Sabathia was knocked around for six runs on 10 hits over

CC Sabathia was knocked around for six runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Mariners on Thursday night. Sabathia did manage eight strikeouts, but was hit hard when the Mariners made contact. [...]

Sabathia roughed up by Mariners

CC Sabathia was tagged for six earned runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners at Yankee Stadium. He had three walks and racked up eight strikeouts.

Our View: Sabathia only allowed one earned run in each of his previous two starts, and the Yankees' ace hurler should bounce back fine following tonight's disappointing outing at home.

Sabathia roughed up by Mariners

CC Sabathia was tagged for six earned runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners at Yankee Stadium. He had three walks and racked up eight strikeouts.

Our View: Sabathia only allowed one earned run in each of his previous two starts, and the ace hurler should bounce back fine following tonight's disappointing outing at home.

Mariners snap Yankees' 7-game winning streak, 8-4

Franklin Gutierrez and Russell Branyan homered, leading the Seattle Mariners past CC Sabathia and the Yankees 8-4 on Thursday night to snap New York's seven-game winning streak.

Langerhans gets the start

According to the Seattle Times, Ryan Langerhans will get his first start as a Mariner in Thursday's contest against the Yankees.

Our View: Langerhans is starting in left field, but has the arduous task of going against Yankee ace, CC Sabathia. He figures to get the majority of the starts in left with a righty on the mound, but the reason he's going against the lefty (Sabathia) tonight is, the team wanted to get him into big league action as soon as possible. Langerhans may be worth a look in deep AL-only leagues, but nothing more.

3 Up: Ichiro Vs. Sabathia

Yes, I am on Twitter.

Here is one other lefty matchup you might want to watch tonight: Ichiro Suzuki vs. CC Sabathia. Of all lefty hitters with 20 plate appearances against Sabathia, Ichiro owns the best batting average at .395. Plus, though not being a homer hitter, Ichiro is tied with Jim Thome for most homers by a lefty hitter off Sabathia at three.

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