Schadenfreude 122 (A Continuing Series)

George A. King III, Post:

At her angriest, Hurricane Irene will resemble a summer squall compared to the destruction A.J. Burnett administered last night to his chances of sticking in the Yankees' rotation whenever it's sliced from six to five. ...

"There is nothing there to work with," the scout said in the middle of Burnett's disastrous five-inning outing ... "Nothing. No location. He won't pitch inside. No command." ...

Burnett gave up nine hits, walked two and hiked his AL-leading wild pitch total to 20. He wasn't removed in the middle of an inning, so Burnett didn't get the opportunity to throw a fit like he did last weekend in Minnesota. ...

In Burnett's last eight starts, he is 1-4 with an 8.64 ERA. In 41.2 innings, he has allowed an alarming 86 baserunners (63 hits, 20 walks and three hit batters). ...

Never mind trying to sell Burnett as a rotation member to a disgusted fan base and the media. How can Girardi send that message to his club that it is trying to win the AL East?

Mark Feinsand, Daily News:

Hurricane Irene may not be hitting Baltimore until Saturday, but Hurricane A.J. ravaged the Yankees Friday night at Camden Yards. ...

In his last 10 starts dating back to July 4, Burnett is 1-5 with a 7.79 ERA, a figure that bloats to 11.91 in five August starts. Burnett has allowed seven runs twice this month ...

Joe Girardi is unlikely to make any decisions on his rotation until this weekend's weather-inflicted series is over, but if the manager decides to leave Burnett in the rotation, his next start will come - yup, you guessed it - at Fenway Park against the rival Red Sox. ...

"At times, you see the great stuff, you do," Girardi said. "You can see how dominant he can be. There's no doubt about it."

Bob Raissman, Daily News:

The Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network's Bombers ratings are down from last season, too. Yankees fans know the wild-card system has once again deprived them of witnessing a legitimate do-or-die AL East pennant race. There's no compelling reason to tune in until the playoffs start.

Or is there? ...

[A.J.] Burnett, the Yankees' $82.5 million pitching version of a wreck on the highway, is capable of juicing the ratings ... [I]n this entertainment environment, where there's so much competition for viewers, you have to be creative ...

Much of the case made for banishing Burnett to the Stadium parking garage has everything to do with him not earning his $82.5 million. ... If Burnett continues down this unpredictable path, proving to be a bizarre attraction who can deliver TV ratings, he cannot be totally indicted for not earning his keep. He may not be making his dough the old-fashioned way - by dominating on the mound - but still is a huge asset if he can attract eyeballs to YES.