Todays AL Wild Card Game and Starting Pitcher for Game 2 in ALDS

[instant karma]

If the Royals win at home today, then CJ Wilson is much more of a gamble to have starting for us game 2 of the ALDS.   Given the Royals overall team speed and Wilson's penchant for walking batters (he had the most walks per nine innings of any AL starter), that's a potential disaster waiting to happen.  If the Royals do win and if CJ does pitch game 2, I suspect his leash will be VERY short.  With the Royals excellent bullpen, you don't want to fall to far behind early and ideally you want to have a lead after 5.  

 

I'd feel more comfortable pitching Rasmus in game 2 who, with his relievers mentality, does an excellent job making batters earn their way on or going with a bulldog lefty like Santiago who other than 2 miserable starts in the second half has been lights-out since the All Star Break.  To me both are better options than CJ the train wreck.

 

I know CJ has great stuff and I recognize he can go out and pitch a good game, but that has not happened on anything close to a consistent basis for a long time.

 

What do you think?

[Troutstanding]

I'm not sure I understand your logic.

 

I believe you're saying that CJ Wilson is more of a gamble in ALDS game 2 because of his high walk rate? But the Royals are literally 30th in MLB in walks. The A's are first... So wouldn't a pitcher with a high walk rate statistically fare better against a team that walks little?

 

Edit: Okay I see you're saying that it's the Royals "team speed" (stolen bases, etc). I guess that makes more sense, but still I gotta go with the team that hardly ever walks, in this regard. 

Edited September 30, 2014 by Troutstanding

[Angel Oracle]

On the other hand, opposing runners are only 6 for 13 in SB% against Nibs in 2014.

[bloodbrother]

CJ blows. Doesn't matter who he is facing, the Halos will be at a disadvantage with him on the mound, but he's going to start...they just can't hide him unfortunately. There's no doubt that Sosh will have a quick trigger with him, especially with this pen + Santiago likely as the fallback option