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Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

Posted on: September 29, 2011 9:04 pm
Edited on: September 30, 2011 9:12 am
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Matt MooreBy C. Trent Rosecrans

Matt Moore has thrown just 9 1/3 innings in the big leagues. And now he'll be a Game 1 starter in the playoffs.

The Rays announced they would start the rookie left-hander in Game 1 of the American League division series against the Rangers on Friday.

Moore, 22, will be making just his second big-league start on Friday. He started last Thursday against the Yankees and announced his presence with authority, striking out 11 batters, walking one and allowing four hits in five scoreless innings. In all, he's appeared in three games, going 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA. Moore hadn't pitched above Class A before the season, but in Double-A and Triple-A this season, he went 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 155 innings.

Moore debuted in a loss to the Orioles on Sept. 14, allowing two runs on three hits in just 1 1/3 innings. However, he's gotten better in each subsequent appearance, allowing two hits and a run in three big relief innings against the Red Sox on Sept. 17 and then last week's lights-out start against the Yankees.

The Rays had been debating starting either Jeff Niemann or Moore in the first game and picked the rookie. James Shields will start Game 2. The Rays didn't release their entire rotation, but it appears they will have Jeremy Hellickson lined up for Game 3 and David Price for Game 4, if needed. .

Moore will face Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson in the first game of the series. Wilson is 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA and was 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in four postseason starts in 2010.

It's yet another aggressive move by the Rays, who often take a little too long to get their top pitching prospects to the big leagues, but they certainly don't hold them back once they get there.

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Category: MLB
Tags: 2011 playoffs, AL East, ALDS, C. Trent Rosecrans, C.J. Wilson, David Price, James Shields, Jeff Niemann, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, MLB playoffs, Rangers, Rangers-Rays, Rays
 
Comments
hotmeuly
Since: Dec 2, 2011
Posted on: December 20, 2011 10:15 am
This comment has been removed.

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Since: Dec 2, 2011
Posted on: December 7, 2011 5:19 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

Merely enrolled in a RSS feed, doubtful n' t simply did it truly in fact? Leading-edge site of this road.

Since: Oct 9, 2006
Posted on: October 4, 2011 7:52 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

As I said a week ago, before game 1.....TEXAS IN 4

Since: Sep 12, 2011
Posted on: October 1, 2011 7:30 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

That is a good feat for a rookie, i thought easing him up from bullpen to starting rotation, but they sure called it on this one.

Since: Feb 4, 2007
Posted on: September 30, 2011 1:46 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

Not surprised by his 11 K performance vs the Yankees.They have alot of free swingers(Swisher,Tex,Grand,Cano).The Rangers had the least amount of K's of all the playoff teams and by the way the Rangers can hit the fastball.This will be the best hitting line-up he's ever faced.5 guys with 25+ homers.A leadoff hitter with 32 homers.The most balanced team in the playoffs.They can beat you with the longball or play small ball.The Rays have very good pitching but don't forget the Rangers led the AL in shutouts.4 by Holland who goes in game 2 vs Shields who the Rangers hit pretty good last year.I know great pitching always defeats great hitting but this line-up is so stacked that you have to careful with not just every batter but with every pitch.If Moore tries to make the perfect pitch with every pitch he's probably gonna leave a few over the plate which will be very costly.I wonder how quick of a hook will Maddon have if the kid gets into early trouble within the 1st 3 innings.

Since: Jul 2, 2011
Posted on: September 30, 2011 1:24 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

Price has not won a game in september and was rocked last time out 
i think this kid moore has proven he is a up and comer , if you can strike out 11
yankees in 5 innings you got the juice and 210 in 155 innings in the minors so if he can steal one from texas then u have shields
behind him this could be a great move i have seen this kid pitch he has all the pitches and has great placement 

Since: Jan 30, 2009
Posted on: September 30, 2011 1:03 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

I love the move for another reason other than the whole "Texas hasnt faced him before". CJ Wilson will probably be tough to beat at home in game 1 no matter who pitches for the Rays so have him go and pray he steals the game and if not you now have big pitching advantages with Shield, Hellickson and Price all pitching against weaker pitchers and 2 of them at home.

Since: Mar 9, 2008
Posted on: September 30, 2011 12:50 pm
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

16 pitchers this year made there first debut to the Rangers. There record was 3 and 7 with a 5.44 era, which does not bode well for the Rays. I just think Texas has far too many bats for the so-so rays pitching. Price lost twice to the Rangers last year in the playoffs and the only pitcher with recent success against them was Shields who looked very good against Texas. I got the Rangers in 4, sorry TB good luck next year.
The only pitcher who struggled this year against the Texas was Jeff Niemann, and he has been left off of the playoff roster, perhaps for that very reason.  Starting Matt Moore is not a surprising move on Maddon's part and represents low risk and high reward.  Coming back with Shields, Price and Hellickson will give the Rays a decent shot at moving on.

It's true the Rangers have a formidable offensive team and the Rays a very weak one; however, anyone who believes the Rays have "so-so" pitching knows very little about the Rays.

Since: Mar 7, 2008
Posted on: September 30, 2011 11:35 am
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

Big Rangers fan here but I think in this situation it's a pretty smart move by Maddon. I agree with what others say here about a pitcher that people have not seen much of, if at all, having the advantage. Texas has a good scouting group though as well as some pretty good coaches, not to mention their players seem to be pretty decent hitters. Results will either get Maddon a "genius" or a "dumbass". Either way it takes guts and I respect the decision throw him out there. Go Rangers...and anybody NOT the Yankees.

Since: Jun 24, 2011
Posted on: September 30, 2011 11:10 am
 

Rays to start rookie Moore in Game 1

Remember what Tampa Bay did with Price a few years back. he saved some big games for them in the playoffs. Go Rays & Go Tigers! Screw the old tired Yankess.
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