Vogelsong Looks To Keep Mojo Going, Force Game 7
SAN FRANCISCO (Bleacher Report) -- The 35-year-old journeyman pitcher enters Game 6 of the NLCS with a chance to propel his team one step closer to winning their second NL pennant in three seasons. Ryan Vogelsong will take the ball at AT&T Park late Sunday afternoon in what will be the biggest start of his major league career.
Don't expect Vogelsong to back down, especially in front of what will be a raucous home crowd. Vogelsong dominated Game 2 en route to a 7-1 Giants win. He'll try to duplicate that performance against former ace Chris Carpenter, who earned the loss in their first matchup. Vogelsong has allowed just 12 runners to reach base in 12 innings pitched this postseason while surrendering only two earned runs.
Vogelsong doesn't overpower hitters with velocity; his two-seam fastball ranges from 89-91mph with hard downward movement, forcing batters to hit the ball on the ground. He mixes that pitch with a nasty cutter, painting the corner against righties while keeping them off-balance with a changeup that ranges 81-83mph. The Cardinals stack their lineup with right-handed hitters, giving Vogelsong a seeming edge as righties hit just .230 against him.
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