Tampa goes with Matt Moore for Game 1, and Texas will bring out C.J. Wilson. In game 2, it will be James Shields for the Rays, while the Rangers counter with Derek Holland. Matt Moore made his MLB debut in relief two weeks ago, on the 14th, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in 1 1/3 against Baltimore in a 6-2 loss. In his 1st start, on the 22nd, he shut out the Yankees for 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 11, and was the winning pitcher in a 15-8 Rays win. Moore is widely considered the top pitching prospect in the game. He split his Minor League season between Montgomery (AA) and Durham (AAA), and in 27 starts (1 CG shutout), went 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA. In 155 innings, he allowed 101 hits (11 homers), walked 46, and struck out 210. He allowed a .184 batting average against.
Ill say 3-2 Tampa Bay. They have a lot of momentum and positive emotion right now and they may be able to ride on that to give them an edge in this series.
Rangers better win tomorrow because while they beat Price twice last season, they also had Cliff Lee.
I've been a Red Sox fan for over 20 years but this Rays team is one that I have found myself really getting into. They seem to be a team of destiny and their pitching is incredible. Consider this - Jeff Niemann who owned the Red Sox this season and would have been a great #3 starter for anybody else outside of the Phillies did NOT even make their roster for this series! They had another starter finishing up last night in Wade Davis, who is also pretty good. With Shields going today and Price in game 3 and then Hellickson (the probable rookie of the year) if it goes to a game 4 - I can't see the Rangers winning this series. All the Rays have to do is get 2 to 3 runs a game and their pitching will probably take care of the rest. The only chance the Rangers have is to get the Rays' starters pitch counts up and have their bullpen come in earlier than they want. But even then, I don't know if that is going to save them.
Just imagine how good that Rays SP staff will be in say 2 to 3 years. Shields Price Moore Hellickson ........absolutely ridiculous!
I think they could be on their way to an Atlanta Braves type playoff run. I know the other teams will spend more but all those guys are young and under club control for a LONG time. Shields' deal is up in 2014 and by then, I am sure, they will have another stud ready or they could just resign him.
Should be a great next couple of games...I still expect the Rangers to pull it out, but the rays seem like a team of destiny for some reason... on a side note, they pre-sold WS tix yesterday...I know its early, but I was able to get a couple of Game 5...I tried to get game 3 for my some and I but the virtual waiting room bs was ridiculous...2 nosebleeds, $250...
That caught stealing looms big. And what a way to end it in the 9th, GIDP. Hope that doesnt take the wind out of TB's sails. I really want them to advance.
