The White Sox have been playing “follow the leader” for almost a month now.
Their leader has been none other than Jose Contreras, who will start Sunday night’s fifth game of this American League Championship Series against the Angels. The followers have been pitchers such as Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, who pitched back-to-back complete-game victories over the Angels in Games 2 and 3.
“Contreras made it happen,” Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “They followed up and they tried to execute like he did.”
Contreras has been nothing short of sensational, going 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA in September, then pitching the first-game victory over Boston in the division series before losing 3-2 to Paul Byrd and the Angels in Game 1 of the ALCS.
Now it’s time for the rematch between Contreras and Byrd at Angel Stadium. It has been less than a week since they last faced each other, which usually is a disadvantage to the pitchers because hitters have fresh memories.
“I’m going to attack them the same way I have in the past and the same way I did last time,” Contreras said through interpreter Ozzie Guillen Jr. “That’s the key against every major-league team–throw strikes and attack them.
“I don’t think my game plan is going to change at all.”
Byrd echoed that view, though he is not the overwhelming pitcher Contreras can be when his fastball and split-finger pitches are working.
“Sometimes you do things different, sometimes you do things the same,” said Byrd, who set an Angels record with only 28 walks during the season. “It just depends on the hitters and how their approach is and what you believe their approach is. Different strategies for some people and you never shy away from the things that you do great. You just throw those back out there and hope they work.”
And how does Byrd, who started his first ALCS game just five days ago, feel about pitching in an event as large as Game 6? Is it different from pitching in Game 1?
“Not really, because I can’t do anything different based on the importance of the game,” he said. “I just have to pitch my game. I’m not going to strike too many people out, not going to give up too many runs, just keep us in the game and battle. I need some runs, get our defense involved. I need hitting. That’s just the kind of pitcher I am.
“I’m not going to change anything or overthrow or try to strike anybody out, even though the game might be a little bigger.”
Of course, because Byrd admitted he needs runs, he could be in trouble. The Angels’ offense hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard, which is somewhat surprising.
“I don’t know if surprised is the right word because hitters always go through their little phases, little slumps, but you can only keep Vlad Guerrero down so long,” Byrd said. “You also have to keep in mind that you have a great pitching staff over there. It’s hard to hit balls when they’re perfectly located.”
And that will be Contreras’ job Sunday, to pitch ’em where they can’t hit ’em. The way he has been doing it lately is not good news for a team that needs a victory.
“This is hands down the best part of my career,” Contreras said. “This is the best run of my career and I hope there’s more to come of it.”
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dvandyck@tribune.com
