C.J. Wilson didn't have his best stuff on Monday night in his final start of the regular season.
The game didn't really matter, aside from the battle for homefield advantage, but his average stuff didn't matter either as the Rangers beat the Angels 4-3 to officially put the Angels to sleep for six months.
Wilson pitched just two innings, both scoreless, before giving way to Mark Hamburger who earned his first MLB win as Wilson now prepares to start Game 1 of the ALDS on Friday against either Boston or Tampa Bay.
He finishes the regular season with a 2.94 ERA. Cliff Lee had a 3.98 ERA after arriving in Arlington last season. Wilson finishes with 206 strikeouts in 223 1/3 innings, both career highs and cut down his walks by 20 from his league-leading total last season.
His ERA is the best for a Ranger since Nolan Ryan's 2.91 20 years ago.
And there's still some folks doubting whether Wilson is a true ace? That's crazy talk.
Throwing down a 2.94 ERA in this ballpark, in this heat, is impressive.
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Time to throw the checkbook at Wilson in the off-season or the Rangers will be left searching for another "potential" ace next season when they've already grown one in Wilson.
Don't blow it.
