BOSTON – Woody Williams started the last two Game 1s St. Louis played this postseason, and the Cardinals won both behind their red-headed Redbird.
He’s coming off a dominant outing in Game 5 of the NLCS – a seven-inning, one-hit performance in which the 38-year-old righty matched Houston’s Brandon Backe pitch for pitch.
There’s only one problem heading into tonight’s World Series opener, according to Cards manager Tony La Russa.
“He’s not going to swing the bat, and that’s the right-handed DH I’m talking about,” La Russa joked. “I might just let Woody hit.”
Williams doubled and scored during his victory in Game 1 of the NLCS, and he’s a career .213 hitter. That’s not bad, but he’s more formidable on the hill.
Although an 11-8 record and 4.18 ERA might not look great in comparison to his 2003 numbers (18-9, 3.88), Williams has been perhaps the most dependable starter La Russa has at this moment.
Matt Morris has struggled all year, allowing 35 gopher balls in the regular season. Chris Carpenter, St. Louis’ best hurler this year, is out with a nerve problem in his arm. Jeff Suppan and Jason Marquis are essentially in uncharted waters.
“He’s got five days’ [rest] and he’s the perfect guy for it,” La Russa said. “Everything about the other ones, we had a choice. He’s very competitive and he goes out there with good stuff, bad stuff, he’s going to find a way to keep you in the game.
“He pitched in the interleague play [against Boston] last year and did a good job. He can make pitches to righties and lefties and he’s got good competitive experience.”
Williams, who relies on a cutter and change-up, broke in with Toronto in 1993 but emerged with San Diego and St. Louis the past few years. He’s not intimidated with the challenge of pitching in front of the Green Monster, but he is impressed by the Red Sox.
“There’s no doubt I have to make sure I focus on every hitter,” Williams said. “I’ve got to keep the top of the lineup off the bases because the big boys can definitely make that a three- or four-run inning real quick.”
Williams’ shoulder “locked up” last winter and he said he had trouble early in the season. But he surged in the second half. Opponents are batting .188 against him in the playoffs, and he loves pitching in cold weather.
“It was a long time coming, and I didn’t know if I would ever get there,” Williams said. “But right now I feel as strong as I have all season.”
Game 1 pitching matchup
Woody Williams
GS IP H R HR BB SO W-L ERA
Regular Season 31 189″ 193 93 20 58 131 11-8 4.18
Postseason 3 19 13 6 2 4 11 2-0 2.84
vs.
Tim Wakefield
GS IP H R HR BB SO W-L ERA
Regular Season 30 188 197 121 29 63 116 12-10 4.87
Postseason 0 7 9 7 1 3 6 1-0 8.59
