Personally love the move....
Yanks should try something like this... And put CC in game 2....
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/BBA-RAYS-MOORE_6186061/BBA-RAYS-MOORE_6186061/
In dashing move, Rays pick rookie Matt Moore for Game 1
By Gerry Fraley**The Dallas Morning News
First Posted: September 29, 2011 - 8:54 pm
Last Updated: September 29, 2011 - 8:54 pm
ARLINGTON, Texas — Tampa Bay kept with its organizational philosophy and made a bold choice to start Friday’s opener against the Rangers.
Manager Joe Maddon, after a lengthy organizational meeting, picked left-hander Matt Moore, a 22-year-old rookie. Moore has made only three major league appearances since being promoted Sept. 12.
“I don’t think we have qualms about doing anything,” Maddon said. “If we don’t utilize everybody within the organization, we’re missing out, because that’s who we are.”
Moore pitched at Double- and Triple-A this season, going 12-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 27 starts. He had 210 strikeouts in 155 innings. In the majors, he was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA.
Moore made one start, at the New York Yankees on Sept. 22. Given a 3-0 lead before his first pitch, Moore had 11 strikeouts in five scoreless innings against a Yankee lineup that included several regulars. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher were a combined 1-for-7 with five strikeouts against Moore.
The Rays came to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in the late afternoon to unpack their gear, and a few players went through individual workouts. At that point, Moore was unaware of his status but expressed a desire to get the start.
“I don’t know how I’d feel initially, but I’m going to get to that point where I do feel comfortable because any other way is not the way I get the best stuff out of my body,” Moore said.
Maddon said he didn’t consider using right-hander James Shields on short rest. Shields, who warmed up in the bullpen during Wednesday’s game, will start Saturday. He could also start a fifth game on full rest.
Offense scuffles against Wilson: Maddon went into the night facing another difficult task: putting together a lineup that has a chance against Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson.
In three starts against the Rays this season, Wilson was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA. The Rays hit .147 with 24 strikeouts in 68 at-bats against Wilson.
Wilson also had 661/3 scoreless innings in a win against the Rays during last year’s Division Series.
“I want to figure out a way to not come into the locker room after the game and not talk about how good C.J. was, “ said slugger Evan Longoria, who has only two singles in 17 career at-bats against Wilson.
Maddon used three different lineups, which included 14 players, against Wilson this season. Maddon hinted that he may used more left-handed hitters because Wilson is “not as death on lefties this year as he had been last year, but he is still semi-death.”
Left-handers this season hit .251 with a .651 OPS against Wilson. A year ago, he held left-handed hitters to a .144 average with a .400 OPS.
Briefly: Dale Scott, in his 25/th season as a major league umpire, will be the crew chief and work home plate in the opener. … Maddon expects to carry 11 pitchers, one fewer than in the regular season. With the Rangers using three left-handed starters in the series, Maddon wants to have an additional right-handed bat. That probably means a roster spot for OF Brandon Guyer. … RHP Wade Davis, under consideration for the Game 1 start, is expected to go into the bullpen. He’s never made a relief appearance in his pro career.
Yanks should try something like this... And put CC in game 2....
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/BBA-RAYS-MOORE_6186061/BBA-RAYS-MOORE_6186061/
In dashing move, Rays pick rookie Matt Moore for Game 1
By Gerry Fraley**The Dallas Morning News
First Posted: September 29, 2011 - 8:54 pm
Last Updated: September 29, 2011 - 8:54 pm
ARLINGTON, Texas — Tampa Bay kept with its organizational philosophy and made a bold choice to start Friday’s opener against the Rangers.
Manager Joe Maddon, after a lengthy organizational meeting, picked left-hander Matt Moore, a 22-year-old rookie. Moore has made only three major league appearances since being promoted Sept. 12.
“I don’t think we have qualms about doing anything,” Maddon said. “If we don’t utilize everybody within the organization, we’re missing out, because that’s who we are.”
Moore pitched at Double- and Triple-A this season, going 12-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 27 starts. He had 210 strikeouts in 155 innings. In the majors, he was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA.
Moore made one start, at the New York Yankees on Sept. 22. Given a 3-0 lead before his first pitch, Moore had 11 strikeouts in five scoreless innings against a Yankee lineup that included several regulars. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher were a combined 1-for-7 with five strikeouts against Moore.
The Rays came to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in the late afternoon to unpack their gear, and a few players went through individual workouts. At that point, Moore was unaware of his status but expressed a desire to get the start.
“I don’t know how I’d feel initially, but I’m going to get to that point where I do feel comfortable because any other way is not the way I get the best stuff out of my body,” Moore said.
Maddon said he didn’t consider using right-hander James Shields on short rest. Shields, who warmed up in the bullpen during Wednesday’s game, will start Saturday. He could also start a fifth game on full rest.
Offense scuffles against Wilson: Maddon went into the night facing another difficult task: putting together a lineup that has a chance against Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson.
In three starts against the Rays this season, Wilson was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA. The Rays hit .147 with 24 strikeouts in 68 at-bats against Wilson.
Wilson also had 661/3 scoreless innings in a win against the Rays during last year’s Division Series.
“I want to figure out a way to not come into the locker room after the game and not talk about how good C.J. was, “ said slugger Evan Longoria, who has only two singles in 17 career at-bats against Wilson.
Maddon used three different lineups, which included 14 players, against Wilson this season. Maddon hinted that he may used more left-handed hitters because Wilson is “not as death on lefties this year as he had been last year, but he is still semi-death.”
Left-handers this season hit .251 with a .651 OPS against Wilson. A year ago, he held left-handed hitters to a .144 average with a .400 OPS.
Briefly: Dale Scott, in his 25/th season as a major league umpire, will be the crew chief and work home plate in the opener. … Maddon expects to carry 11 pitchers, one fewer than in the regular season. With the Rangers using three left-handed starters in the series, Maddon wants to have an additional right-handed bat. That probably means a roster spot for OF Brandon Guyer. … RHP Wade Davis, under consideration for the Game 1 start, is expected to go into the bullpen. He’s never made a relief appearance in his pro career.
