Ron Washington yet to decide on pitching rotation for Game 1 in American League Championship Series
The Texas Rangers are through to the American League Championship Series as the club beat the Tampa Bay Rays in three consecutive games to get there. The main concern now is when the management should decide on a pitching rotation for beyond Game 1.
The club has yet to decide who they will want to place in the line-up after C. J. Wilson takes the mound in Game 1. There are a plethora of fresh faces in the team but it is uncertain if they have the right skill-set to beat the opposition.
Manager Ron Washington talked to the press on Wednesday, October 5 from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and he made a clear indication on keeping Alexi Ogando in the bull-pen. The regular starter for the season went 13-8 in the season, piling up an earned
run average of 3.51 from 29 starts.
"We're committed to Ogando in the bullpen," Washington said. "He gives us too much for the situation we are in."
Derek Holland and Matt Harrison are the new hurlers in the mix. Last post-season they were not on the roster. This season they piled up 30 wins for the club. Both have been successful against the Rays in the recent Division series and it seems they will
feature on the mound this time around.
Rangers still do not know who they will face in the Championship Series. The Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees are tied 2-2 in the division series and Game 5 on October 6 will determine who will come through.
"I haven't made a decision," Washington said. "We don't know who we're playing. Once we know that, we'll figure it out."
One man who will surely feature for the Rangers on the mound is Colby Lewis. The hurler is 4-0 in his post-season career and there is no doubt he can add pressure to the opposition when the time comes.
"When Colby is executing pitches, he can do that here or on the road," Washington said. "We are confident with Colby wherever he pitches."
Washington may still be worried about Lewis’ 5-5 standing at home with an earned run average of 5.54. However Lewis can turn up the heat anywhere he pitched in the post-season.
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