Howard Bryant is quickly becoming my new favorite writer over at ESPN.com.

First I find that he wrote a column the other day which almost exactly duplicates the sentiments I expressed here on umpbump about the Sun setting on the Yankees dynasty .

And now I find that his latest column expresses almost exactly my amazement at Indians manager Eric Wedge’s decision to pitch Paul Byrd in game four tomorrow, instead of probable Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia on three days rest.

I mean, seriously, Paul Byrd?

Eric Wedge obviously doesn’t understand what the playoffs are all about. Pitch counts and proper rest are all well and good in the regular season, but in the playoffs, if you lose, you go home. And cry into your Jack Daniels for six months about the one that got away.

Sure, Paul Byrd won 15 games this year. But those were just about the softest 15 victories you can get. Astonishingly, of those 15 wins, only 3 (yes, only three) were against teams with winning records!

This past season Byrd had a very middling ERA of 4.59, his 11.18 hits per 9 innings was the second worst of all qualified starting pitchers in the whole major leagues, and he was the beneficiary of more than 6 runs a game of run support. So despite the gaudy total of 15 wins Byrd was at best a major-league average pitcher this season.

And is major-league average really the kind of guy you want to be throwing in a do-or-die playoff series? Let alone throwing him against the best offense in the entire major leagues?

I mean, this isn’t some NL Central team that snuck into the playoffs with 84 wins. These are the freaking NEW YORK YANKEES. Yes, the are down 2-1, but they score more runs than God, have about 1,000 times more playoff experience than you, they just got up off the mat with a momentum-building 8-4 victory, and oh yeah, they are playing for their beloved manager’s job.

And sure enough, looking at the numbers, in his last four starts against the New York Yankees Paul Byrd is 0-3 with a 6.86 ERA.

I just don’t get it. Why bother with Byrd at all when your alternative is to come back-to-back in consecutive games with two 19-game winner, Cy Young types who have already shown their ability to dominate the Yankees? Sure, Sabathia will be going on short rest, but history has shown that working 3 days rest is quite doable in the playoffs, especially for an ace-type like Sabathia (See file: Becket, Josh, 2003 World Series), and even if Sabathia falters, the Indians could then bring on Fausto Carmona on full rest in game five. Given just how good these two guys are, and the fact that the Indians only need one more win, aren’t the odds pretty good that at least one of the two can get a victory, if you give them two shots in a row?

And it’s not even like you would be messing up the rotation for the ALCS. If C.C. were to pitch and win game 4, Wedge could go with Carmona and Sabathia in the first two games against Boston on full rest, whereas if Byrd loses, they are going to have to throw Westbrook in one of those games.

Not that Wedge should even be worrying about the ALCS anyway. In the playoffs nothing is assured, and you can’t afford to waste any games on mediocre 4th starters like Paul Byrd if you don’t absolutely have to.

And the Indian’s don’t have to, which is why this makes no sense.

Kym Byrd isn’t the kind of woman we usually rush to induct into the Hot Baseball Wife pantheon. She’s not an underwear model, or a former stripper, or a music video vixen. We don’t even have any photos of Kym in her bikini (although if you do, feel free to send them along). But she does spell her name with a Y, which is so porn star. And she’s got an undeniable girl-next-door qaulity.

Here’s some more info about Kym:

• She has a BS in Psychology
• She is half Chinese.
• She loves bubble Baths, her dog Hershey, dark chocolate, laughing out loud, teaching women, seeing a person’s heart come alive, costume parties, current events & snow capped mountains.

If some of Kym’s favorites seem a little saccharine, there’s a reason. You see, Kym is a life coach who specializes in helping other baseball wives lead rich, fulfilling lives. Her website, called Fully Loving Yourself, offers advice to women who have disappeared into their famous husbands’ shadows.

“For years I was known as Paul Byrd’s wife, mom, U-Haul Queen of America or laundry goddess,” Kym says. “Coaching offered me an opportunity to take time out for me.”

In addition to coaching, Kim is currently leading a research project to get to the bottom of why baseball players and their wives have such a high divorce rate (82% according to Kym!).

Oh, and she’s blogging! Here’s what Kym has to say about her legacy:

I don’t want, “Busy”, “Driven,” “Cold,” and “Distant,” were written on my tombstone. I want to be known and for people to see a difference in me and the way they I treated them.
So I am trying to begin in little ways talking less and speaking louder through actions.

Here’s Kym on Paul’s value as an authority figure:

He uses a stern voice when he’s displeased that I can’t achieve although I try yelling.

And finally, Kym on her kids:

They amaze me and exhaust me all in one moment. Unlimited energy. The inability to color and sit still and stay clean.

We here at Umpbump think there’s nothing hotter than a successful marriage. That’s why we’re so excited to welcome Kym Byrd to our little club. Congratulations, Kym. You’re a Hot Baseball Wife!

PS. Are you a baseball wife who thinks she might benefit from Kym’s life coaching? Take Kym’s baseball wife quiz

1.When your guy is away what do you eat for dinner?
a. A bowl of cereal
b. Eat a normal meal
c. Too depressed to eat

2.What is your response when he comes home?
a. “I am soooo bored.”
b. “How was the trip? Glad your home.”
c. “It must be nice to shower, watch TV, do what you love and sleep in.”
d. “Here are the kids. I’m outta here.”

3.What is your hobby?
a. Washing laundry
b.a mix taking good care of me and my family
c.gossipping about other wives
d.waiting for your guy to call

4.Do you know what your gifts, strengths and weaknesses are?
a. No
b. Yes

5. True/False “Sometimes I feel like no one really wants to know me. They are just interested in my guy.”

6. How would you describe the seasonal lifestyle you live?
a. Chaotic
b.Adventurous but good
c.Relaxing
d.Exhausting

7. Have you moved more than 3 times in the last year?
a.Yes
b.No

8. How do you deal with all the people who want a piece of your life?
a.Resent them
b.Set healthy boundaries for you and your family
c.Accomodate everyone else even if you are stressed
9. When you are around other baseball girls you:
a. Feel insecure and worry what they are thinking
b. You’re comfortable in your own skin
c. Jealous and comparing yourself to them

10. How open are you to being responsible for your life? Which statement would most likely represent you?
a. “My life would be better if _______ would just change.”
b. “I know I need to work on some things. My life could be so much better.”
c. “Life will get better when we… get to the Big Leagues, sign for millions, get called up.”

If you answered True or a,c or d for any of the answers above, it’s time to contact Kym.