Matt

Harrison

Working in a great ballpark for pitchers, Harrison, a 20-year-old lefty, has a 2.67 ERA in 11 starts. He’s unlikely to be ready before the second half of 2007 or 2008, but he has No. 3-starter potential for the Braves.

Harrison, a 20-year-old left-hander, was 8-4 with a 3.10 ERA, 77 H and 60/16 K/BB in 81 1/3 innings for Single-A Myrtle Beach. He’s a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter for the Braves.

He gave up seven hits and a walk and struck out four. Since having his spot in the rotation skipped, Harrison has allowed four runs over 12 inning in two starts. Now the owner of a 3.56 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, he’ll get the Mariners in Seattle his next time out.

The nine punchouts are his high-water mark for the season. The Rangers decided to give Harrison some rest after he was blasted for seven runs back on August 24, and he’s responded by posting a 2.41 ERA in his three starts since. Now 13-9 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, he’ll try to keep it going next weekend in a rematch with the Mariners.

No surprise there. Washington didn’t confirm it, but Wilson will likely be followed by Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison, in that order. Alexi Ogando will be moved to the bullpen following Saturday’s start.

He struck out one in his third quality start in four September outings. Although the Rangers have all but sewn up their second consecutive American League West title, Harrison should still take the mound in their regular-season finale against the Angels on Wednesday.

Harrison is scheduled to start Game 4 but could see action out of the bullpen if either Colby Lewis or Derek Holland can’t go the distance. Lewis went 0-1 with a 15.95 ERA in two starts against the Tigers in the regular season, allowing 13 runs on 20 hits and four walks. Holland posted an 8-2 record at home with a 1.56 WHIP and .292 opponent batting average.

And Derek Holland will likely take the mound in Game 4. Rangers manager Ron Washington hasn’t made any of this official, but it’s the common consensus among reporters.

Washington acknowledged that the order between Harrison and Holland remains “up in the air.” In addition, both starters will be available for relief duty in Games 1 and 2, if needed.

Harrison was pounded from the get-go in this one, with the Rays jumping on him for four runs in the first inning. Evan Longoria contributed a three-run homer that did the brunt of the damage. He managed to strike out three and walked one in the poor performance. His previously microscopic ERA balloons to 3.38 after this one, and he’ll attempt to rebound when he faces the Blue Jays in Toronto next week.