Texas Rangers’ Manager Ron Washington still deciding on postseason rotation – MLB News
The Texas Rangers are currently contemplating their rotational options at the moment. Before picking up a crucial 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Monday, September 26, manager Ron Washington explained the decision making
criteria that went into the mix.
Rangers are trying to sort out who they will face in the play-offs. If they go up against the Detroit Tigers, they will want two right hand pitchers in the mix. Since C. J. Wilson will be on top of the pecking order, Washington will want the other three
starters to be Alexi Ogando and Colby Lewis. The two right handed throwers are formidable and strong in their roles.
Lewis is currently 13-10 this season and he has another game to go on Tuesday, when he goes to the mound to face the Angels. On the other hand, he does have one drawback in the sense that he is the leading pitcher in conceding home-runs in the American League.
With the figure on 35, that reading could irk the gaffer.
Ogando is the other player in the mix and his role of a starter from a reliever has been noticeable. He is 13-8 and his earned run average of 3.54 is a pleasing figure for the skipper. He is also 3-0 against the Tigers, this season.
The Boston Red Sox will entice Washington to throw in Matt Harrison and Derek Holland. Both players are on top of their game and they are collectively on 30 wins, this season. The New York Yankees will also have a hard time facing left hand hurlers but Lewis
has proven before that he can be a big asset on the mound, as he defeated the Yankees twice, last year, in the play-offs.
Nevertheless, Washington says his choice or selection will come from instinct rather than numbers.
"We'll wait and see who we play and where we play before we decide how to set it up," Washington said. "It just depends on my gut and who do I trust. We're not going to try and outsmart ourselves. But we'll do what we think is best for us."
At the the same time, with two games left in the season, the skipper might opt to throw in Ogando on the last game instead of Matt Harrison. Ogando is highly competitive player and has the ability to change a game in an instant.
"Whether it's starter or reliever, I'd like to pitch him," Washington said.
With that said, it still remains a mystery on who will appear in the rotation and in which order. Nevertheless, when Washington gets to thinking that should spell trouble for the opposition.
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