By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | Oct. 12, 2015, 10:58 pm CT
One loss away from elimination, the Cardinals will turn to postseason veteran John Lackey on short rest to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday.
[Related: Game Recap: Cubs blast six home runs, take 2-1 lead in series with 6-4 win]
“He’s ready to go on short rest and we were able to get him out a little earlier than what he’s been accustomed to, he’s had enough rest and it’s time to go,” manager Mike Matheny told the media after the team’s historic 8-6 loss in Game 3 on Monday night.
The 36-year-old picked up his eighth postseason victory in the series opener, allowing just two hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings to lead the redbirds to a 4-0 win.
In 22 career postseason appearances, the right-hander boasts a 8-5 record with a 2.90 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 124 1/3 innings pitched.
It will be the third time in Lackey’s career he gets the nod on three days rest, but it’s something the veteran said he’s definitely not concerned about.
“Physically? I’m not guarding against nothing–I’m gonna go get it,” Lackey told Brian Stull of St. Louis Baseball Weekly. “Pitch counts are out the window this time of year. It’s competing and win the game…The past has nothing to do with tomorrow, we’ve got to go out and do it again.”
“If you want me to get all dramatic and stuff, it ain’t time for that,” Lackey added. “It’s time to go to work.”
Lackey will be opposed by 33-year-old Jason Hammel as the Cubs look to clinch the series Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for just after 3:30 pm central time.
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Game 3 Recap: Cubs blast six home runs, take 2-1 lead in series with 6-4 win
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Feature image used under Creative Commons by Arturo Pardavila III. No changes made. Image license.
