Prediction: Derek Holland will be better Tuesday night than he was the last time he took the mound. Of course, I’m the say guy who thought “Ask Jeeves” would clobber Google, so …
Actually, Holland had been splendid this year through five starts. Three wins. ERA at 2.48. Calm, cool, consistent. And then last week in Toronto – combustible.
Out of nowhere he had one of the worst starts in Rangers’ history, surrendering 11 runs on 11 hits in only 2.2 innings. Yeah, that’s eight outs, and 11 runs. Holland has been good. But with his make-up it always feels like we’re walking the tightrope between good Holland and bad Holland.
One night he can be the guy who handcuffs and shuts out the Cardinals in Game 4 of the 2011 World Series. The next night he can be the guy who coughs up three homers to the Blue Jays in only two innings of ALDS Game 4 in 2015.
It’s still early May. Should Holland remain healthy he’ll make around 20-25 more starts after tonight. But it feels like an important outing for him.
To prove to fans, teammates – and himself – that last week in Toronto was merely a hiccup, and not a frustrating continuation of the Holland rollercoaster.
Said Holland, “That start is over. I had a good month, had one bad start and now I have to get back to what I do. I'm going to pitch my game. I’m just going to execute better.”
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A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
