Pettitte Key to Yankees’ Pennant Race

I've started Tweeting.  I'm not sure why. I've been on Facebook for awhile and, disregarding Mafia Wars, inane quizzes and all the other crap that comes with it, it serves a social purpose. Twitter...  I dunno.  Maybe my love will grow over time.  Just feels skimpy and cheap.  Why only 140 characters?  Is it 1978? Anyway, while Tweeting this morning (I feel like Johnny Drama when I say that), I traded a few notes with Ross from The New Stadium Insider regarding the Yankees rotation. The nut of the matter?  Pettitte is turning into the key for the Yankees' September and probably October. It breaks down like this: Sergio Mitre is the fifth starter for the forseeable future.  I think the Yankees will try and upgrade, but as long as he's mediocre and keeps them within striking distance, he'll stick. The problem lies in Joba who very well could run out of innings before the season ends.  That will leave a spot in the rotation open. Now, the Yankees could try and stretch Aceves out before then and Cashman hasn't dismissed the idea of returning Hughes to the rotation (although that seems like a risky move).  I'm not sure either is a good idea for the long term health of either pitcher, but of the two Aceves is probably the most expendable. What this does mean is that Andy Pettitte is the default #3 starter once Joba is finished.  Plus,  should the Yankees make the playoffs, Andy Pettitte will likely be the #3 starter and, if Girardi doesn't ride Sabathia Milwaukee style, someone would have to be their #4. This is a bit more than the Yankees had planned for Pettitte when they waited him out over the winter.  Pettitte was signed to be a back of the rotation innings eater.  Now, he will be a key component to the Yankees drive to the playoffs. Can Pettitte handle it?  His walk rate is the worst it's been since 2000 and his home run rate is the worst of his career (H/T to Lonn Trost...).  His peripheral numbers have been better his last two starts and he's typically pitched better in August with a slight rise in September. Despite his reputation as a big game pitcher, Pettitte's post season numbers are right in line with his career averages.  Anyone who has followed the team is aware of Pettitte's post season blowups and, in turn, his post season gems.  At the age of 37 with a second half breakdown last year, Pettitte isn't a sure thing, leaving the Yankees two deep in their rotation come the end of September. With the Yankees' starter depth diminished by the probable loss of Chien-Ming Wang for the season, Ian Kennedy to aneurysm surgery, and Phil Hughes to the bullpen, it seems impossible for Brian Cashman not to pick up a starter, if not two.  I can't see Cashman parting ways with any major prospects, which makes him likely to pickup someone's fifth starter for relatively little.