Rested Peavy likes situation
BALTIMORE — With two extra days of rest in his tank and postseason desires fueling his motor, Jake Peavy will be the man on the mound when the White Sox open a crucial three-game series Friday night against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
“When you get to the point in your career where I am and understand how hard it is to go to the playoffs, and you’re a month or so off with a few-game lead …. this is what, as a ballplayer, you live to do — play meaningful games late in the season,’’ Peavy said. “There are so many teams right now that go to the ballpark that mathematically don’t have much of a chance, and that’s a tough place to be.’’
The Sox pushed Peavy back two days to line him up for the second-place Tigers. The extra rest is always good this time of year, and it allowed Peavy to fine-tune by throwing a bullpen session. He has skipped side sessions at times this season to keep his arm as fresh as possible.
“There’s no doubt it’s going to help you get your arm up under you,’’ he said of the extra rest. “We got some treatment, and this late in the season, when you get another day or two, it can certainly help.’’
Peavy (3.09 ERA) is 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in four starts against the Tigers this season. He is a proponent of studying hitters’ tendencies, but having faced them four times, he said it will come down to executing pitches.
“Friday is going to be exciting,’’ Peavy said. ‘‘It’s going to be a packed house in Detroit, playing a team that is right behind us. And a great team.
‘‘We all know how the last series in Detroit [a three-game Tigers sweep July 20-22] went. I don’t think we have to be reminded.’’
Sox starter Jose Quintana only went 32⁄3 innings and gave up five runs and seven hits.
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