ANAHEIM — The A's have not yet announced their starting pitcher for Wednesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Yankees, but Liam Hendriks has to be the favorite at this point.
Hendriks once again played the role of opener Saturday, pitching a scoreless first inning in Oakland's 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander has not allowed a run in his last 11 outings and has compiled a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings this month.
“He's done a really good job with it,” A's manager Bob Melvin said. “He's the one guy who's been consistent in getting that particular role. He knows he's going to be out there for a limited time and he doesn't have to pace himself. He's handled it really well.”
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“It's getting to be a little bit easier,” Hendriks added. “This is the eighth time I've done it now.”
Given the recent struggles of Oakland's starting rotation, it would make sense to employ a full bullpen game in New York. Hendriks says he would be up for the challenge.
“Whatever they need me to do -- whether they want me to relieve, whether they want me to start, whether they want me to be ready in the first -- I'm just going to take it as it is. If they tell me I'm starting, I'm going to start. If they tell me going to relieve, I'm going to stay out in the bullpen and wait for that phone call.”
Of course, using an opener in a meaningless game in Anaheim is a lot different than doing it in a must-win game at Yankee Stadium, something Hendriks fully appreciates.
Oakland Athletics
“I think there's definitely going to be a lot more scrutiny on it,” he acknowledged. “It's one of those things where if it doesn't work, it's going to be the reason, where if it does work, it will be the reason as well. Everything's going to be amplified.”
Beyond just the numbers, Hendriks has the right mentality to start this type of pressure-packed game. The 29-year-old Australian is one of the most laid-back players in the A's clubhouse. Before games, you can find him sitting peacefully by his locker, reading.
“I think if you pitch in a game like this, the biggest thing is taking your emotions out of it and just going about it and remembering this is a game, just like any other one,” he explained.
Hendriks is certainly right about one thing: Whatever the A's decide to do, there will be a lot of scrutiny.