Ron Washington, Derek Holland Confident in Decision to Pitch Matt Harrison in World Series Game 7 for Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington is as resilient in the dugout as his players are on the diamond. After World Series Game 6 between the Rangers and Cardinals was pushed back a day by rough weather in St. Louis, many believed Washington would allow Derek Holland to start a possible Game 7 on Friday after his gem of a performance in Game 4. However, Washington said there’s no chance he changes his rotation, so Matt Harrison will start Game 7 if the Rangers can’t finish off the Cardinals in Game 6 on Thursday and Holland backs his manager’s decision.
Washington has obviously been heavily questioned about the matter since Harrison had one of the worst games in his career in a Game 3 Rangers loss. That put Texas down 2-1 in the World Series in the first home game of the series for the Rangers. That doesn’t matter to Washington, who insists he knows what he’s doing.
“Harrison is my Game 7 pitcher,” Washington said. “Harrison has been a big part of this team all year. I am not changing the things I’ve been doing all year,” Washington said. “That’s why we are where we are — and that’s why I’m saying Harrison.”
I’m not afraid to stick my [expletive] out there. I wasn’t afraid as a player or a coach and I’m damn sure not afraid as a manager.”
Indeed, the Rangers have represented the American League in the World Series two consecutive seasons now, the only Fall Classic appearances in franchise history. Washington is also responsible for the winningest season in Rangers history as Texas won 96 games in 2011. Like all of the Rangers’ organization, Harrison is thankful for that and his manager’s confidence to start him in potentially the biggest game in franchise history.
“It means a lot to me that he has the trust in me to get the job done and give us a chance to win,” Harrison said.
Like any good teammate should, Holland expressed his confidence in his teammate and backed Washington’s decision.
“There’s no need to change anything,” Holland said. “Harrison’s been pitching good for us all year, so why change anything now?”
Contact Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin
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