Rick Porcello upbeat to subdue Matt Harrison in ALCS Game 4 – MLB Update
After Doug Fister’s success in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, Rick Porcello will be confident of holding the strong offence of Texas Rangers in Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.
Porcello was scheduled to start Game 2 of the ALCS, but rain delays in Game 1 forced manager Jim Leyland to use his starter in a relief role. Consequently, Max Scherzer started Game 2, but failed to impress at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Getting an opportunity to start at home with a capacity electric crowd on his side, Porcello has everything in place to win the game and subsequently rekindle competition in the seven-game series. Currently, with three games played, the Rangers lead 2-1
in the seven-game series.
Porcello has never started against the Rangers at home and this will be a good opportunity to prove his mettle under pressure against a top-team. If the Tigers lose, the Rangers will gain a 3-1 advantage in the series which, keeping into consideration Texas’
home-advantage, will be difficult to eradicate. However, a win here will ensure that Detroit has an equal chance of winning the pennant.
In two road starts against the Rangers, Porcello sports a decent 1-1 record at an earned-run average of 6.30. Given the fact that both games were played in Rangers Ballpark, this ERA is respectable.
"I feel good. My arm feels fresh," Porcello said. "I feel like the ball is coming out of my hand better. I'll be ready to go (Wednesday), and physically everything will be there."
Porcello’s last start in the postseason came against New York Yankees in Game 4 of the AL Division Series. In a spell of six horrendous innings, the right-handed starter gave away four runs in a 1-10 loss against the AL East Champions. However, the team
recovered well in Game 5 to send the Yankees reeling out of the pennant race.
The Rangers counter with Matt Harrison, who impressed in the ALDS-winning Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Harrison allowed just two runs in five innings and struck-out nine batters in the process. However, he has never impressed against the Tigers and
is 0-4 in five career starts against Detroit. Three of these losses have come at Comerica Park and the Tigers will be eyeing yet another win against Harrison to keep themselves alive in the pennant race.
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