Sabathia's turn to gain clincher

The Yankees are paying CC Sabathia $24, 285,714 this year for a moment like tonight. He is their ace, he is expected to get this one victory needed to push the flawed defending champions into the playoffs. 

It is no lock, to be sure. Sabathia (20-7, 3.89) has all but given away the Cy Young award this month with two bad performances. He owned the Orioles all season, but lost at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 7 by giving up five runs in 6 1/2 innings.

He beat Baltimore the following week for his 20th victory, but that hallowed number for any pitcher may have been negated by his meltdown against Tampa Bay at  the Stadium last week. Sabathia was knocked out in the sixth and was charged with seven earned runs in losing a key game to the Rays and David Price.

Tonight isn't about postseason awards, just postseason.