Brandon McCarthy is off to the best start of his Texas Rangers career.
After winning his first decision in Cleveland, despite struggling somewhat with command, McCarthy has steadily improved in that facet of his game. After putting on 10-15 pounds last off-season, his velocity is up, as well
All of this has paid off for McCarthy in the form a a 3-0 record and a 4.67 ERA on the season.
In his last and best start, against his former team the Chicago White Sox, he threw 5 innings, surrendering just three hits and one earned run while walking none.
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Improved command will eventually aid in McCarthy going longer into games, something he's done with only moderate success this season, going 5-6 innings in each of his five starts.
Partly responsible for this, no doubt, is McCarthy's past health concerns. The 25 year-old suffered an injury-plagued 2007, only to miss most of last year due to elbow inflammation.
But if Texas has been holding McCarthy back to any degree over injury concerns, this afternoon in Oakland might be a good time to cut the leash somewhat. Frank Francisco will almost certainly be on the shelf after throwing three days in a row, including a long ninth last night in the series opener.
McCarthy will be going against Oakland's Trevor Cahill. Cahill is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA.
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