Matt Harrison is set to face Rick Porcello and the Detroit Tigers today, in hopes of equaling the sort of success he had in his last start--his second of the season--in which he gave up one run over eight innings to defeat the Minnesota Twins. The key to that start, Harrison says, was establishing the inside fastball against right-handers.
"I was aggressive and throwing the ball inside," Harrison said, per ESPN Dallas. "I established I could get a strike inside to righties the other day and that really opened up the outer half. I was able to get some quick outs with two-seamers and changeups away."
Meanwhile, Harrison’s success this season has hardly been limited to right-handers--he is currently 2-0 with a .64 ERA, seven strikeouts and four walks. Against southpaws, Harrison has looked to establish a wider array of offspeed stuff than he might have used a year ago.
"I was throwing off-speed stuff for strikes," Harrison said. "Last year I used more sliders against lefties and I had more curves and changeups."
Harrison Looking To Own The Inner Half
Establishing the inside fastball has been Matt Harrison's bread and butter so far in 2012
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