Derek Holland takes the mound for the Rangers on Sunday night, pitching in the biggest game of his career. Holland and the Rangers find themselves in a 2-1 hole after Albert Pujols took control of Game 3, leading the Cardinals to a 16-7 drubbing of the Rangers.
The start on Sunday will be Holland's fourth of the 2011 postseason, and his fifth appearance. Holland has not pitched more than five innings in any playoff start this year, lasting five, two and 2/3, and four and 2/3 in his three starts so far in the playoffs. Holland also made a relief appearance in the ALDS, pitching one and a third innings.
Overall on the postseason, the numbers aren't pretty for Holland. He's given up 18 hits in 13 and 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs (eight earned), walking six and striking out seven.
The Rangers will certainly need Holland to pitch well on Sunday night, as the bullpen was called on for over five innings of relief in Game 3, with Alexi Ogando throwing 35 pitches.
Holland will be faced with the task of slowing Pujols down. Pujols tied a slew of World Series records in Game 3, including most hits in a game (five), most runs batted in in a game (six) and most home runs in a game with his three home runs.
Luckily for the Rangers, Edwin Jackson is starting Game 4 for St. Louis -- and he's been just as bad as Holland in the postseason. Jackson has made three starts, pitching just 12 and a third inning, giving up eight runs on 16 hits, including four home runs, while walking two and striking out nine.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Televised coverage can be found on FOX.