Brewers Asking Too Much of CC

In today's Game 2, CC Sabathia once again will be pitching on short rest. (By Darren Hauck -- Getty Images)

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So, it was easy for them to ask Sabathia to volunteer.

"We called him in the office and asked him," Sveum said. "He said it's funny you asked because I was about ready to come in your office and tell you that I'm ready to go on three days' rest.

"It's up to him. It's his career."

Hard to believe? Melvin told Sveum, "I believe you, but I need to hear it from him." Melvin did. He's still in shock.

"CC is the most unselfish athlete I've been associated with," Melvin said. "When you're in your free agent year and you're doing things for your club when you could be doing things for yourself . . ."

Baseball has its unspoken conventions. It's okay to ask a pitcher, even a star in his walk year, if he'll work on short rest -- once. It's his choice. Do you ask twice in a row? Almost never. Find one example. But a fourth time? Unheard of.

Now, the Phils, with a win in hand, have a kind of free shot at Sabathia. "Tomorrow, maybe we will get after big CC," Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said.

Sveum demurred. "We're down one game with the best pitcher in baseball going tomorrow," he said. "We feel good about ourselves."

Sabathia should. The Brewers shouldn't.

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