Matt Harrison is a left-handed pitcher who throws 95-mph, but he's never been a strikeout machine. He had a career high K/9 this year, and it was only 6.1. It's not like this is a surprise, either. His minor league stats:
Year | G | IP | SO | |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 Seasons | 118 | 647.2 | 462 | 6.4 |
His game is control, for the most part. But in Game 3 of the ALDS, Harrison is on fire, striking out seven Rays in the first three innings. His career high is nine, and he's exceeded seven strikeouts in just four of his 62 career starts.
The postseason record is 17 strikeouts, by Bob Gibson in the 1968 World Series. Harrison is only ten away! He's also at 56 pitches through three innings, so he'd have to be mighty efficient to get it done. Also, he'd probably have to not be Matt Harrison, who is not usually a strikeout pitcher.