Zito: What, me worry?
OAKLAND – A’s lefty Barry Zito hasn’t pitched since Oct. 7, and he can lead his club to its first ALCS appearance since 1992 today. Think maybe he’ll get a case of the jitters tonight? Wrong.
“It’s not hard to keep loose,” Zito said the other day. “I’m a loose guy. I’m relaxed all the time.”
Zito takes looseness to a whole different level. But despite his well-cemented reputation as an eccentric, you can’t dismiss the 23-year-old a flake – because he’s one of the best pitchers in the AL.
Oakland’s Game 3 starter led the AL in ERA in both August and September, earning Pitcher of the Month honors in both months.
He finished 17-8 with a 3.49 ERA, striking out 205 in 2141/3 innings.
In last year’s ALDS, Zito won Game 4 at Yankee Stadium with the A’s facing elimination. It was his only career postseason start, but he has a 2.25 ERA in his two starts against the Bombers this year. Zito was 0-1 but allowed only nine hits in 12 innings.