ARLINGTON – C.J. Wilson’s job of matching, or even coming close, to Derek Holland grew exponentially more difficult about 15 minutes after the Rangers’ Game 4 win.
The St. Louis baseball Cardinals very quietly complained about the generous strike zone that Holland had the benefit of in his shutdown performance.
When asked what was making it difficult for the Cardinals hitters to adjust to the strike zone, Cards manager Tony LaRussa said, “No comment.”
Translation: Ask the home plate umpire, the one from St. Louis.
This is the same manager who during the NLCS against the Phillies openly complained about the ball/strike calls during an in-game interview, which resulted in a nice little fine, and a different strike zone the following game. Just like the NBA or NHL, there is always a market correction in these situations, which should mean C.J. Wilson should not expect to see a wide pitch called a strike on anything.
The Rangers are going to face a guy who doesn’t need any help in Cards’ ace Chris Carpenter, and the way Wilson has pitched thus far this postseason he is the one who needs the help.
When I asked Mr. Wilson how he felt he has pitched this postseason he answered, “Next question. Get an original question.” Point taken.
Here is an original opinion: Even if Wilson is not again mediocre in what will be his final start for the Rangers this season, the team needs to take an all-out pass on the stupid bidding war that will ensue this winter for his services. Then they need to take the money allocated for Wilson and put it towards a guy whom we all know is a real No. 1 – C.C. Sabathia, or just throw it into scouting and development.
From what we have seen from Wilson this season and postseason is that the No. 1 suit does not fit.
Projected by pundits as a possible Cliff Lee type because C.J. has the free agent motivation, he instead has demonstrated this is too big for him. He has demonstrated in these playoffs that he is a very nice No. 3, and maybe No. 2 … during the regular season.
In four postseason starts, Wilson is 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA. He has allowed 25 hits in 21 1/3 innings, and hasn’t lasted more than six innings in any start.
For the man placed as the No. 1 starter, Wilson has been terrible.
When the free agent bidding on Wilson begins, however, we should expect baseball GMs from Chicago to Miami to Los Angeles to to New York to all disregard any such statistics and convince their respective owners that Wilson can be a No. 1, and he will be paid as such.
The GM in Texas should know better, and say no.
Wilson’s story from reliever to reliable starter is nice and inspiring, but it does not mean he is worth stupid No. 1 money. He is not. I fully expect Wilson to be a capable double-digit winner and an innings-eater for the next few years, but I can’t envision him neutering an offense the way Holland did in Game 4 worthy of crazy cash. He doesn't have that ceiling.
One game on Monday night will not change our minds about that that … buuuuut it could really help.
“That’s what the commercial says, that legends are born in the postseason or whatever,” Wilson said. “It’s sort of one of those things that’s very difficult to process sometimes as a starting pitcher because you feel like everything is on your shoulders. That’s your job – to go out there and suck it up, either you get beaten down literally or figuratively or you stand strong and stand tall.”
I do not doubt Wilson’s sincerity or desire to be a No. 1 stopper. He may come across as a surfer boy Cali’ flake, but I believe he cares about his job.
Wilson has repeatedly said the prospect of being a free agent, or whatever affect his postseason has on his status as a free agent, is not something he takes into consideration at all. That he doesn’t think about it.
I don’t believe him, not when the consequences are this $ignificant.
At 30 years old, we have a good idea what C.J. Wilson is. He is a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter who, in his final start of the 2011 season, needs to be a No. 1 just once this postseason.
Just hope C.J. Wilson can channel his inner Game 4 Derek Holland and be the pitcher he wants to be, and then be happy for him when he signs for stupid money with another team.
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