Halladay or Hernandez: Who Would You Pick If You Had to Win One Game?

Doc and King Felix.  Two pitchers who have both received tons of well deserved credit in recent seasons for their outstanding pitching talents.  Both of which have won a Cy Young Award.  

So let's just say you are managing a team who is in a must win situation and you had the luxury of choosing one of these two men to take the hill for you.  Who would you pick?

This could be a tough decision.  Let's look at Hernandez first.

Hernandez is just 25 years of age but is already in his seventh major league season.  He has a career record of 79-60, but do not let that fool you.  Hernandez was only 13-12 last season when he posted a 2.27 earned run average en route to winning to the American League Cy Young Award. His numbers seem to be getting better every year, with strikeout numbers increasing and walks decreasing.

Halladay's numbers are just as impressive.  Halladay posts a 179-89 career record and has won 20 games or more four times in his career, a feat Hernandez has yet to accomplish.  Halladay is a two time Cy Young Winner and has been in the final voting each of the past five seasons. His earned run average for the past four seasons and has an impressive 2.63 ERA.  

One argument against Hernandez is experience.  King Felix has never pitched in the postseason in his career.  On the other hand, this could mean very little.  

Let's take a look back to last season.  In Roy Halladay's first postseason start, he tossed a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds.  In this case, experience should be ignored because while Hernandez is young, he is extremely talented and capable of winning any time he steps on the mound.  

If I was manager...(insert drum roll here).  The man I'm putting on the mound is Roy Halladay. Halladay has shown time and time again that he will shut down a lineup and put his team in a position to win.  He rarely has games where he gives up multiple earned runs, which means that his offense needs maybe one or two key hits to win the game.  Halladay has great control and has the ability to strike out guys, which Hernandez has as well.  Both guys can make hitters get themselves out.  

However, Halladay still has more impressive career numbers, has shown that he is consistent over his career and will put his team in a position to win.  Hernandez has very good numbers as well and has a very promising career ahead of him.  Give Hernandez more time and he could easily win this decision, but for today, Halladay is getting the ball.