The Texas Rangers are putting converted reliever C.J Wilson out on the mound for game two of the world series tonight in San Francisco. His opponent, Giants backup ace Matt Cain. Both sported similar numbers over the course of 162 games, Cain's line read 13-11, 3.14, 177, and wilson's was 15-8, 3.35, 170. What makes Wilson different than Cain is that he has never before pitched so much in one season. Last season Wilson pitched his career high in innings with 73.2, but jumped that number up 204 when he made the move to the starting rotation from the bullpen this year.
This kind of an adjustment can only lead to good things for the Rangers lefty, I believe. It is hard for most relievers to jump to the starting five and have so much success so soon. The increase in work usually means a tired arm by the end of the year, but the Rangers have so much confidence in Wilson's abilities that they made him their number two starter for this postseason.
Wilson should have no problem pitching under "must win" pressure following Cliff Lee's disastrous loss. According to ESPN.com, 20 of Wilson's 33 starts in the regular season came after a loss. He went 11-5 with a 3.27 ERA in those games. On Wednesday he told ESPN.com's Jeff Caplan, "Obviously tonight things didn’t go well for Cliff. But that was tonight, and tomorrow is tomorrow, I can’t 'unlose' tonight’s game. I can only win tomorrow’s game. That’s the only goal.”
Expect the pitchers kingdom that is AT&T Park in San Francisco to be an advantage to Wilson who is used to pitching in the warm dimensions of The Ballpark in Arlington in Texas. Jeff Caplan put it best when he wrote, "The big difference is Lee has lost for the first time. So now it is Wilson’s show."
No comments:
Post a Comment