Matt Harrison had one final tuneup outing before starting Sunday night's game in Houston on national television to open the 2013 MLB season, and against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday Harrison struggled.
But don't pay any attention to the fact he gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings and gave up a home run on his final pitch because Harrison said he's ready to go come Sunday.
"I definitely didn't finish out the way I wanted to but I feel like my stuff is there," Harrison told ESPN Dallas. "I'm ready to go. I just had a little trouble with my release point consistently today."
Harrison had been good in his previous two spring outings before struggling on Tuesday. Now wrapped up with his spring, Harrison finished Cactus League play with a 5.11 ERA in four starts, giving up 17 hits in 12 1/3 innings. He started the spring badly, and finished it badly but had two good starts in between.
Now, he's got Sunday on his mind.
"Now my mental preparation is for that first start and getting ready for it," Harrison said. "You strive to be the best pitcher you can be, and it is a great honor to start Opening Day for your club. It is something that may only happen once, so I am going to enjoy it."
