Aren't players supposed to start underachieving AFTER they get paid?So, one would think that C.J. Wilson, coming off the best season of his career and on his way to gross overpayment by [insert Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Phillies here], would take advantage of postseason's grand stage to hammer home that he deserves Barry Zito money. Yet, someone forgot to tell him that he's not supposed to pitch like the current Zito until he gets his check.
It's hard to believe that Wilson, who compiled a 16-7 record in the regular season with an ERA of 2.97, is on the verge of becoming the first pitcher ever (yes, EVER) to lose 4 games in a single postseason.
Sometimes in these situations, the questions are complicated and the answers are simple (thank you, Dr. Seuss).
-Wilson has allowed 6 home runs this postseason, just 10 off the number he allowed all season. -Wilson is walking 1 batter per 1.5 innings this postseason, about two times the rate he allowed free passes this season.
-Wilson is throwing his cutter (his third most used pitch this season) 33% of the time in the postseason, a huge increase in usage from the regular season.
So I've got a little advice for C.J. via Chipotle and Willie Nelson (with an assist from Coldplay). Wilson must go back to what made him one of the best pitchers in the American League. He has to throw his fastball for strikes, let his defense make plays and let his offense do the talking. In other words, he has to go 'back to the start.'
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