Saturday's Mound Matchup
Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco Giants vs. Colby Lewis, Texas Rangers
Jonathan Sanchez (13-9, 3.07 ERA)
When the left-hander is on the mound, you know two things: he is going to walk a lot of people and you will see a filthy curve ball.
Sanchez was eighth in the National League in strikeouts this season with 205 thanks to his fantastic hook, but also led the Senior Circuit with 96 walks, a staggering number of free passes, especially considering he averages just under 98 pitches per start. It’s a wonder he ever makes it out of the fifth inning.
In his most recent start in Game 6 against Philadelphia, an altercation with Chase Utley left him so rattled that he had to be pulled after giving up two runs over a meager two innings. Also over that span, he threw an absurd 50 pitches and walked a pair.
Not good news for facing a Texas lineup looking to find its groove and breakout after getting shutout in Game 2.
"I'm going to go there with the same mentality I always have," Sanchez told MLB.com. "You're not always going to have a perfect game, so you just have to be realistic. There are going to be good days and there are going to be bad ones."
Colby Lewis (12-13, 3.72 ERA)
And if you think Sanchez has a nasty curve ball, then you need to pay close attention when Lewis takes the bump.
Lewis threw the curve an average of 11.2 times per start before mid-September, with opponents hitting .304 against it. But since then, he is throwing it 14.6 times per outing with opponents hitting just .056 against it when they make contact. And in the playoffs he has leaned on the pitch even more. Through three postseason outings, he is tossing 18.7 curves per start.
And it’s not like the Yankees could hit it.
In two victories over the Bronx Bombers and their vaunted batting order, Lewis went a combined 13.2 innings, giving up just nine hits and allowing a measly three earned runs. His biggest issue -- like Sanchez -- is his walks. In three postseason starts, he has 18 punch-outs, but also has a postseason-leading issued 11 free passes.
"He has swing-and-miss stuff," Rangers manager Ron Washington told MLB.com. "When he's commanding the strike zone, he's as tough as any pitcher in the game. We've needed him twice so far in this postseason, and he's come through, and that's why we're so confident with Colby."
MLB odds now stacked against Rangers
By: Michael Robinson
The Texas Rangers are in a must-win situation Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants. They’re down 0-2 and no team has ever recovered from an 0-3 deficit in World Series history.
Bookmaker.com has Texas as 152 home favorites with a total of 8 ½-runs (‘under’ minus 120). San Francisco is now 290 ‘chalk’ to win the series, with Texas 240 underdogs.
The Giants are finding different ways to win. The opener was an 11-7 offensive outburst, getting to starter Cliff Lee for six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Lee was thought to be invincible heading in at 7-0 (1.26 ERA) lifetime in the playoffs and 3-0 (.75 ERA) this year.
San Francisco won with pitching in Game 2. Starter Matt Cain allowed no runs over 7 2/3 innings, increasing his playoff streak without an earned run allowed to 21 1/3 innings. Texas’ C.J. Wilson lasted into the seventh, allowing two earned, but San Fran scored seven runs in the eighth for a 9-0 final.
The ‘over’ is 2-0 in the series. The Giants are scoring 10 runs per game after averaging 3.0 in the first two rounds. They’re 13-1 in the last 14 games versus Texas.
The Rangers hope their fortunes change at home. They went 51-30 in the regular season and have won the last two playoff games there after dropping the first three. The Game 6 closeout of the Yankees was a 6-1 gem.
Colby Lewis finished the Bronx Bombers by throwing eight innings and surrendering just one run (three hits). He’ll start Saturday and is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three postseason starts. All were at home.
Lewis spent the last two seasons in Japan and had a solid regular season (12-13, 3.72 ERA) in his return. His home splits were 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA, with run support lacking in many games.
The 31-year-old righty last pitched over a week ago (Oct. 22). Texas is 4-0 in Lewis’ last four starts on seven days rest or more.
The Giants went 43-38 on the road in the regular season. They’re 4- 1 away in the postseason, with every victory coming by one run.
San Francisco’s Jonathan Sanchez will try to keep the team hot. His three playoff starts have all come on the road (0-1, 2.93 ERA). The first two were quality starts at Atlanta and Philadelphia.
The last one came in Game 6 at Philly, with Sanchez getting pulled in the third inning (allowing two earned runs). The bullpen got out of the jam and proceeded to throw seven scoreless innings. The Giants rallied for a 3-2 win and took the series.
The 27-year-old lefty was 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA in the regular season. Opponents hit just .204 off him, although walks were a problem with an MLB-leading 96. He’s walked six in 15 1/3 postseason innings.
Sanchez’ ERA was lower on the road (2.86) in the regular season than at home (3.26). The Giants are 10-3 in his last 13 road starts. Texas is 7-2 in its last nine games against a left-handed starter (3-2 in the playoffs).
Texas’ Vladimir Guerrero will be the DH after sitting in Game 2. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy has three main DH options (Pat Burrell, Pablo Sandoval, Aubrey Huff), depending on his preference for the defensive alignment.
First pitch on Saturday is earlier at 3:57 p.m. (PT). Weather will be clear and in the upper 60s, low 70s.
Sunday’s Game 4 has Madison Bumgarner and Tommy Hunter as the scheduled starters. However, Lee could come back on short rest. San Fran ace Tim Lincecum has never gone on short rest in his career and won’t with the series lead.