KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Miguel Gonzalez has not been on vacation, but when he starts Wednesday for the Baltimore Orioles, it will be his first game action in 16 days.
Gonzalez, who will start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals, has not pitched since Sept. 28, the regular-season finale.
The pressure is squarely on Gonzalez and the Orioles. The Royals posted a 2-1 win Tuesday to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven ALCS.
“It’s been two weeks, but I’ve been preparing myself to stay focused and I’ve had a couple of bullpens and a live (batting practice),” Gonzalez said Tuesday. “So I’m excited. I’m excited to go out there and give my team a chance to win a ballgame.”
Gonzalez threw a simulated game Oct. 6, three innings, 50 pitches. He threw a bullpen session Sunday.
“I’m pretty much ready to go,” he said.
Gonzalez was slated to start Game 4 of the AL Division Series, but the Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers in three games.
“How do we combat that?” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Gonzalez’s lengthy layoff. “You can only play so many (simulated) games. They don’t get to this level using things like that as an excuse.”
Gonzalez will be squaring off against Royals left-hander Jason Vargas, who got a no-decision in his lone postseason start during the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels.