Jaime Garcia to start Game 2 of the World Series for St. Louis Cardinals – MLB World Series
Jaime Garcia has been slated to start Game 2 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers. He will be the first Mexican to pitch in the World Series after Fernando Valenzuela did it in October 23, 1981 when he pitched at Dodger Stadium.
"I'm going to go out there and try to go as deep as I can," Garcia said. "Just focus on one single pitch at a time until [La Russa] takes me out of the game. If it's three [innings], if it's five, six, seven or nine, that's out of my control."
A lot of comparisons were drawn between him and the former player Valenzuela whose 21 victories in 1986’s Major League victories still enjoy rare distinction. However, having received the Cy Young Award and six All-Star appearances, there is still much that
Garcia has to do to get to Valenzuela’s level.
A look at the regular season appearances of Garcia says he was a regular contributor in the team’s victories. He won 13 of the games in his capacity, proving the ample longevity of his pitching skills on the mound, with 3.56 ERA throughout the season having
had 156 strike-outs.
In October, however, in his playoffs he has pitched a total of 15.2 innings, allowing 19 hits and 10 runs which make the ERA 5.74 for the St. Louis Cardinals’ starter.
He has a 9-4 record when it comes to home starts, having posed a 2.55 ERA. There may be a challenge that he will confront being on the road. What’s important for him is that if he pitches well here, he may even get a chance in Game 6 of the World Series.
"There isn't any reason why he can't pitch well on the road, and he has pitched well on the road," La Russa said. "He's got that kind of composure and that kind of stuff."
The Mexican, representing the Cardinals, has got an enviably huge opportunity to emblazon his career. Were he to do that, it will not only serve the team but also bring him in League with his former countryman Fernando Valenzuela, a big achievement in itself.
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