Wilson pitched decently in Game 1, allowing three earned runs in five and two-thirds (innings).
Carpenter allowed one fewer run and recorded one more out that night, and won. Wilson put too many runners on base — he walked six two (intentionally), hit a batter, threw a wild pitch — and probably (deserved) his loss.
Wilson is a free agent after the season, so it could be his last game as a Ranger. When people ask about his future, Wilson said, he imagines he is surfing, to take his mind off the topic.
Wise general managers will not base their offers to Wilson on how he pitches in October, but a positive final(impression) could not hurt.
Carpenter resolved his status in September, signing a two-year, $21 million contract extension. Tony La Russa, who has managed him for eight seasons, said Carpenter loved to pitch in hostile (territory), the way it was in Philadelphia on Oct. 7, when his array of off-speed stuff baffled a team with 102 wins.
Reputation has little to do with the (outcome) of games. But it preceded Carpenter to the mound in Game 5, and, if it did not define him, it lent an intriguing (backdrop) for the fans, the news media and his teammates.