clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Derek Holland to start Game 2 of the ALDS

By Adam J. Morris
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Pitcher Derek Holland #45 of the Texas Rangers starts against the Tampa Bay Rays September 7, 2011 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Pitcher Derek Holland #45 of the Texas Rangers starts against the Tampa Bay Rays September 7, 2011 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Ron Washington has confirmed what has been suspected the past few days...Derek Holland will start Game 2 of the American League Division Series.  Holland has returned to Arlington to begin preparing for his start, which will be on Saturday.

This is a big step up for Holland, who back in July was being discussed as potentially being moved to the bullpen for the playoffs.  But Holland has stepped up in the second half and shown much more consistency, mixing in fewer clunkers and more quality outings, and has earned the right to be the Rangers' #2 guy, behind C.J. Wilson, who will start Game 1 and (if necessary) Game 5.

In addition, the team has apparently decided on who will be in the playoff bullpen, but Washington didn't identify who those pitchers were or whether the Rangers will be going with a seven man or eight man pen in the playoffs.  I'm guessing we'll find that out tomorrow.