So, is it possible to have Lee start the rest of the series? That was a phenomenal performance by Lee in Game 3! One walk in three starts while striking out a gazillion! And what is strange is that there is a Top 50 list I just read that ranks pitchers that you would want to start a game seven and you want to know where Cliff Lee was at on the list, which included Cole Hamels (#44), Roy Oswalt (#26), Roy Halladay (#34) and Andy Pettitte (#5)? If you said he didn't make the list, you would be correct. I mean, Cole Hamels is clearly better than Cliff Lee, right? And it was Andy Pettitte clearly had a better game than Lee yesterday... OK, I will say that Lee is entering his prime in his career, whereas Pettitte is nearing the pasture time of his career, but I would take Lee over Pettitte, given the option of who I would want at the prime of their careers. In fact, I would take Nolan Ryan in his prime over either of those two. That aside, Hamels ranking higher than Cliff Lee? I'll give bones on Halladay, Oswalt (maybe), and even Pettitte, but Hamels? Come on, who wrote that crap?!
Hunter last started on October 10th, taking the loss on game four in the ALDS to the Rays, pitching four innings and giving up three runs, two earned. The Rangers committed two errors in that game. Also, Hunter fanned seven and gave up six hits and didn't walk anyone. I wonder if this will be a tag team of Hunter and Holland like it was in that game (just a curious thought). I should also not that with Feliz pitching the final inning of game three, Neftali will be watched closely if he is used today (and he may not even be called upon, but if it is close, you almost expect him to be called upon to pitch, otherwise, what is the point of bringing him into game 3 at all).
Hunter also finished the regular season with a 13-4 record, with only 22 starts. Could you imagine if he pitched the entire season? An easy 17 game winner, I would think, especially when you stop to consider that he had a 3.73 ERA.
A.J. Burnett, well, he finished with a 10-15 record and a 5.26 ERA, the worst numbers of his career. Her also hit 19 batters, tied a career high in HRs given up (25), which are all indications of poor control. That could be the reason he hasn't been called on to pitch thus far this postseason. He hasn't pitched since October 2nd, over two weeks ago. The Rangers worked him over in September, holding him to four innings of work, tagging him only four two runs in the process.
That's right. No crying in baseball, Yankee fans. Rangers are going to take this one, 6-3. Hunter tosses five innings in this one. Holland gets a couple of innings in there, too, I think and the bullpen holds up.
0 Random Thoughts:
Post a Comment