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Ortiz to start Game 3 for Giants Posted: Thursday October 10, 2002 7:39 PMST. LOUIS (AP) -- Right-hander Russ Ortiz will start for the San Francisco Giants in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series Saturday afternoon at Pacific Bell Park. Manager Dusty Baker had hinted Ortiz would pitch, but announced the decision Thursday before the Giants played the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series. Saturday actually would be Livan Hernandez's regular day, but the right-hander will start Game 4 on Sunday instead. He will be pitching on six days' rest. By using Ortiz on Saturday on his regular four days' rest, he would then be available to start the deciding Game 7 on Thursday back at Busch Stadium -- on full rest -- if necessary. And if the Giants were to win the series in six games, Ortiz would be ready to pitch the first game of the World Series. In addition, Hernandez will pitch in a night game Sunday, and Ortiz will start a day game, and Baker believes Hernandez's off-speed pitches will be more difficult to hit in the shadows at Pac Bell. "Livan in the twilight changing speeds is much more tough to hit than a power pitcher," Baker said. Both players have been superb in the playoffs for the Giants, who are appearing in their first NLCS since 1989. Ortiz, a 14-game winner this year, worked 5 1/3 innings to beat the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the division series Monday night. It was his second victory in the series. He also pitched seven strong innings to win Game 1 at Turner Field. "The key to his consistency is strikes. He's throwing strikes and keeping the ball down," Baker said. "The last seven or eight starts he has had very consistent release points, and everything has come together." Hernandez is perfect in his postseason career with a 6-0 record, including a victory over Tom Glavine and Atlanta in Game 4 on Sunday. The 1997 NLCS and World Series MVP was a disappointing 12-16 in the regular season, but has been impressive in the playoffs. Ortiz has not received much attention this season, but Baker insists that doesn't matter to the 28-year-old pitcher. "He's more quality and winning," Baker said. "He pitched on a national stage last week. Russ has been awesome. I heard they didn't have an MVP in the first round, but if they had, it would have been Russ." Ortiz is 1-3 with a 5.16 ERA in seven career appearances against the Cardinals, but this will be his first time facing them this year. Hernandez faced St. Louis twice this year, but did not get a decision either time. He gave up 21 hits in 14 2-3 innings. He is 3-4 lifetime against the Cardinals, with a 5.50 ERA in 10 games. Cardinals left fielder Albert Pujols knows Ortiz is tough to beat. "He's going to go out there and try to throw a great game," Pujols said. "He's a great pitcher."
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