Who is ready for a pitcher's duel? That's what I'm predicting in the 2013 A.L. Wild Card Game as the Tampa Bay Rays visit Progressive Field to face the Cleveland Indians. The winner advances to the ALDS to face the tough Boston Red Sox. Who will win this one? Let's just say I've had a change of heart in the past 24 hours.
I was going for the dramatic flair in yesterday's predictions. Forgive me, I'm only human, I had the Indians easily winning this one. However, with Alex Cobb's dominant performance throughout the 2013 season and Tampa bay's dominant performance against the Texas Rangers, the Rays will walk out of the A.L. Wild Card Game victorious.
Cobb has never pitched in the postseason. He has three years in the Bigs and 2013 treated him very well. He finished with 11 wins once again, but he kept his ERA under 3.00, allowing just 44 earned runs in 143.1 innings. Who knows how many games Cobb could have won for the Rays had he remained healthy, but whenever he was on the mound, he pitched brilliantly. Cobb is a veteran having started 54 games in the majors, so forget the fact that he's never pitched in the postseason because his opponent, Danny Salazar, has only pitched in 10 games this year.
Salazar started the season in the minors before receiving the call in July. He was sent back down after making a spot start and he was brilliant going six innings, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out seven. When he was recalled in August, he struck out 10 Detroit Tigers over 7.2 innings, but allowed four earned runs in a no decision.
Since the start against the Tigers, Salazar remained in the Indians' rotation. He finished the season 1-3 in his following nine starts, but he pitched well.
Predictions: Salazar and Cobb will be caught up in a pitchers' duel. However, Salazar will slip. He's allowed six earned runs in his last 11.1 innings pitched. To beat Salazar, the recipe is getting to him early. If he is wild early on and nervous, look for Evan Longoria to make him pay.
Final Score: 2-1 Rays win in a close one at Progressive Field.
