Cardinals-Nationals Game 4 Pitching Matchup Features Wentzville Holt Grad

Ross Detwiler, a 2004 graduate of Wentzville Holt High School, grew up cheering on the Cardinals. Tonight, he'll be pitching for the Washington Nationals in NLDS Game 4.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Detwiler faces a huge challenge:

When he climbs the mound at Nationals Park for Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, he could be staring down elimination or a series clincher. He will be facing a team that only two weeks ago bashed him around for seven runs, three earned, in only 2 1/3 innings.

After Wednesday's 8-0 win by the Cardinals, Detwiler and the Nats need a win or the 2012 season will be over. 

As a Holt senior, Detwiler helped his team earn a district title—the team's first in 14 years. He attended Missouri State University and played ball there until he was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2007. That first-round draft pick was the highest Missouri draft pick in history, Wikipedia states.

On Sept. 29, the Washington Post quoted Detwiler about competing with the Cardinals: "It’s definitely kind of surreal – the team I grew up watching, and now I get a chance to clinch against them . . ."

Detwiler faced the Cardinals a day later, on Sept. 30, at Busch Stadium. Instead of helping the Nationals clinch the National League East, he was chased by the Cardinals after getting just seven outs in the game. In 2.1 innings pitched, Detwiler gave up four hits, five walks and seven runs, three earned while taking the loss against his hometown team. 

That game was his last appearance of the season. This year the 26-year-old was 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 33 games for the Nationals. He made a career high 27 starts and threw a carrer-most 164.1 innings pitched.

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