Harrison on Extra Rest: “It Was Huge For Me”

In his time as Rangers’ manager, Ron Washington has made a habit of giving his starting pitchers a little extra rest whenever circumstances dictate. In the case of Matt Harrison, this practice looks like it’s already paying dividends.

Washington pulled Harrison out of his start against Kansas City on September 4, because he thought the All-Star looked fatigued--he wasn’t really pitching bad, having given up three runs on eight hits--and in the two starts since then, Harrison has been downright impressive. He was particularly good in his start Sunday, going 8 2/3 innings against Seattle, and giving up a lone run on six hits.

In retrospect, Harrison has no doubt that the bit of extra rest given to him by Washington has played a role in his recent resurgence.

“I think it was huge for me, especially when you get that day off and get an extra day to get a little fatigue out of my body and get my legs back under me,” Harrison said, per ESPN Dallas. “Any time you get some rest in September, it could definitely help you a lot when you go into that stretch run at the end of the season.”