ARLINGTON, Texas — Baltimore will go with left-hander Joe Saunders, who has struggled at Rangers Ballpark, as its starter for Friday's American League wild-card game against Texas.
Saunders is 3-3 with a 3.63 ERA in seven starts for the Orioles this year since coming over from Arizona in an August trade. He pitched six times in Arlington — when he was playing for the Los Angeles Angels — and was 0-6 with a 9.38 ERA.
He doesn't think that matters anymore.
"I don't care," Saunders said. "Tomorrow's a new day."
Saunders does have postseason experience, pitching for LA in 2008 and '09 and Arizona in 2010. He's 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four playoff starts.
"Joe's rested, ready to go," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "He's obviously experienced, has pitched some in the playoffs and we had a couple of options. I've said many times this year our No. 1 starter is the guy's who's pitching that day. Joe's pitched well for us since he's been here. He's got a tough task ahead of him."
Showalter said he's not concerned about Saunders' numbers against the Rangers because he alone won't dictate the outcome of the game.
