Levine: Cubs' Jackson, After Tough Outing, Says He Has Time To Work It Out
By Bruce Levine, 670 The Score
MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- Cubs starter Edwin Jackson had a tough day at the office in his second outing of the spring.
Jackson gave up three runs in three innings of work. The problem for Jackson has never been his stuff; it's always about location. The 30-year-old pitcher was leaving the ball up in zone consistently and paid for it on Friday.
"Today was a fastball day," he said. "I had situations where I could have thrown sliders, but I decided I wanted to see where I was locating the fastball."
Where he was turned out to be up in the zone, with little plate command, as Cleveland hit line drives and hits throughout his three innings of work.
Jackson said this was his plan and his plan alone. Pitching coach Chris Bosio was not a part of the equation.
"He had no clue," Jackson related about his pitching coach. "It was just something I came out and did. My last game I threw a lot of change-ups, siders and curveballs. This game was for me to see how it was with just fastballs. This is the time of spring training where you kind of have the luxury to go out and do so. I need to work the ball down in the zone a little better."
The veteran pitcher is trying to bounce back after a horrendous 18-loss season in 2013, which was the most losses in baseball. Jackson signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Cubs.
"Today I wasn't really worried about results, just throw all fastballs and see what happens," he said.
Jackson has plenty of time to get his command back. He should have four more starts before the regular season begins on March 31. He said he is not sure what his plan will be his next time out.
He should have four more starts before camp breaks on March 29.
"Next week it could be something different. I need to go to the bullpen and work on the timing," he said.