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Michael Wacha
• World Series Game 2 - The Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals up in Game 1 of the World Series last night in Fenway Park. Tonight in Boston, the Cards try to even things up with rookie sensation Michael Wacha on the mound against Sox' right-hander John Lackey.
Wacha, a 22-year-old, 2012 1st Round pick, has made three postseason appearances so far this fall, giving up just one run (0.43 ERA) so far in 21 IP in which he's walked four (1.71 BB/9) and struck out 22 (9.43 K/9) while holding opposing hitters to a .114/.162/.186 line. Lackey, 35, is (2-0) in two postseason starts this year, with three walks and 14 Ks in 12 IP in which he's held opposing hitters to a .244/.300/.311 line.
Asked about pitching in Fenway Park for the first time, Wacha said he was aware of the difficulty of doing so and trying not to worry about anything but throwing strikes. "This is kind of a tricky little ballpark with the dimensions and that kind of stuff," the rookie right-hander told reporters. "One pitch can really kind of change a game. You try not to think too much about it, just try to approach it just like any other game, any other stadium. And that's just making pitches down in the zone and try not to give them too much of a chance to lift it."
Lackey, an 11-year veteran, returns to the World Series for the first time since 2002 with the LA Angels, which he said yesterday helped him put the whole experience in perspective. "I guess the main thing is you realize how hard it is to get here," Lackey told reporters. "It's been 11 years since I've been here. Been chasing it for a while, and you probably appreciate it more this time than you do as a rookie, that sort of thing."
Be sure to take it all in and enjoy it, Wacha.
Coverage of Game 2 of the 2013 World Series starts at 7:30 PM EDT from Boston...