Despite record, Andy Pettitte is 0-0 starting tonight

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

No pitcher has won more games in the postseason than the Yankees’ Andy Pettitte, who will start Game 6 of the American League Championship Series tonight against the Angels. In fact, just one, the Cardinals’ John Smoltz, has as many playoff wins as Pettitte’s 15.

But Pettitte says he still brings a little extra with him when he goes to the mound in October.

‘There’s no doubt there’s a little bit extra focus this time of the year,’ he said. ‘As much as you want to try to take every single start [the same], something about the postseason, you feel a little extra focus. I know it’s hard to understand what I’m trying to say, but there’s no doubt the postseason is a little different animal than the regular season.’

Pettitte pitched well in his first ALCS start, holding the Angels to a run into the seventh before Vladimir Guerrero belted a two-strike, two-run home run to chase Pettitte from a game the Angels would win in extra innings. And although his postseason experience -- he’s made 37 playoff starts in his career -- will be a help tonight, he says he knows the Angels won’t be conceding anything.

‘No matter how many starts I’ve had in the postseason or how many innings, it’s not going to help me when I go out there,’ he said. ‘It’s a matter of going out there and my cutter cutting and my location being good. And this is a game of inches. It’s a matter of me putting the ball three of four inches on the plate or on the corner if I’m hit or not.’

-- Ben Bolch and Kevin Baxter