'Biggest game of my career'

 

Marlins right-hander A.J. Burnett takes the mound tonight for a crucial start against the Houston Astros and Roger Clemens.

 

BY KEVIN BAXTER

 

kbaxter@herald.com

 

 

HOUSTON - Will the real A.J. Burnett stand up tonight in Houston?

 

Or perhaps the better question is, who is the real A.J. Burnett? Is he the dominating pitcher who mixed speeds and displayed pinpoint control while winning seven straight starts in July and August, four times without allowing an earned run?

 

Or is he the stubborn flamethrower who couldn't find the strike zone with a map and compass while losing his past four starts, walking a season-high six in a brief outing against the Cardinals and then getting just seven outs and giving up five runs in a pounding by the Phillies?

 

Burnett and the Marlins figure to find out tonight when the right-hander takes the mound against Roger Clemens and the Astros in a game that could go a long way toward deciding which team makes the National League playoffs.

 

''That game [tonight] is probably going to be the biggest game of my career so far,'' Burnett said. ``Wild-card race, the Rocket and Houston at their place.''

 

For the Marlins, a victory tonight following Tuesday's win would guarantee that they return to Florida on Friday in first place in the National League wild-card standings, no matter what the surging Philadelphia Phillies do. And for Burnett, a victory against Clemens and a strong finish to the season could mean millions on the free-agent market this winter, when he'll be the premier pitcher available.

 

In fact, tonight's game is so important that Darek Braunecker, Burnett's agent, flew in from Arkansas to spend three days with his client in an effort to straighten him out.

 

''He's battling some things right now mechanically, and I think it's gotten into his head a little bit where it's something he's kind of fighting himself over,'' Braunecker said. ``Physically he's perfectly fine. He assured me of that. You know the stuff is there. Hopefully he can kind of get back in sync mechanically and, with that, feel right mentally going into it.''

 

Burnett (12-10, 3.43) has lost control -- of his emotions and his pitches. During his seven-game winning streak, for example, Burnett got his sinker over for strikes early in the count, which set up the rest of his pitches. As a result, he posted a 1.21 ERA over 52 innings.

 

He hasn't been able to do that lately, and when he falls behind in the count he often rears back and tries to throw the ball past hitters -- with predictable results.

 

''The harder it comes in, the harder it goes out,'' manager Jack McKeon said of Burnett, who has pitched into the sixth inning just once in his past four starts and has an 8.35 ERA since Aug. 19.

 

As a result, there's a good chance pitch selection and location came up during Burnett's lengthy one-on-one talk with pitching coach Mark Wiley on Tuesday afternoon.

 

''Here lately when I throw sinkers and I'm 1-0, 2-0 [in the count]. I feel like I can't control my two-seamer, so I end up throwing a four-seamer, and they get wood on it,'' Burnett conceded. ``So it's pitching ahead. If I pitch ahead on the sinker, that opens up everything else.''

 

The challenge now, Burnett said, is to try not to think about it.

 

''When you lose a couple of games, you start questioning, you start wondering,'' he said. ``The more you think about it, the further away you're going to get from it. When you're rolling off win after win . . . there's nothing in your head. You're clean, you're clear.''

I hope for a rebound tonight from AJ. No choking allowed

Go get em AJ. I have high hopes

Anything less then dominance is unacceptable

Good thing he realizes it, because that's exactly what it is. Josh and Dontrelle have both pitched in the World Series, but over the course of the next two days two of our starters will pitch on the biggest stage of their lives for the right to continue on and make the next start the biggest game they've ever pitched in and. No pressure.

 

AJ, tonight is the night you have to prove yourself to the world. Josh and Dontrelle have done it before, now it's your turn.

This is going to be one of the best games of the season.

I'm very excited for tonight. I think AJ is gonna be on his game. I just have a feeling.

It sounds like he's at least in the right mindset for tonight in realizing he can't just try to blow his fastball by everyone.

Lets go AJ... We believe in ya

Its put up or shut up time, AJ. If you ever want to show everybody that you are worth all that money you want in the offseason, you better get whatever it is you lost and fast.

 

 

Having said all that, go get 'em :thumbup

yeah biggest game of your career...meh... you had your agent comer in to remind you that its your contract year. Look aj just win for the marlins this year and in the off season take your cocky attitude and your huge contract (which you dont deserve) to the mets and lose 20

gameslike we all know you can... jack@$$

go get em AJ

The whole country will be watching this game tonight. This game could mean the difference of a couple million $$ in his contract next year. Damn right its the biggest game of his career.