Maddon Taps Matt Moore In Game 1
by Tommy Rancel on Sep 29, 2011 10:39 PM EDT
in Tampa Bay Rays News
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PrintWe know easy is not in the Tampa Bay Rays playbook. Apparently, starting a rookie with just three major-league appearances and one start in game one of the American League divisional series is. With James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and David Price unavailable to start the first game of the 2011 playoffs, Rays’ manager Joe Maddon selected 22-year-old Matt Moore as his starting pitcher on Friday. In doing so, Maddon passes on veteran – yet inconsistent – starters Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann.
Moore has been dazzling in his first taste of big league action. From his three-inning relief effort in Boston to his dominating first start in New York, it is clear he has the stuff to succeed at the highest level. In 9.1 innings of work, Moore has struck out 15 batters while walking just three. He allowed three earned runs in relief, but has a spotless – albeit brief - record as a starter.
Thus far we’ve seen top-shelf stuff from Moore’s left arm. He features a fastball with an average velocity near 96 mph. Beyond the fastball, he has a power breaking ball and an elusive changeup. In the small sample size, he has favored his fastball, but split the usage of his secondary pitches down the middle. Meanwhile, when we break it down by hand, Moore uses his off-speed pitch against right-handed batters while relying on the breaking ball versus fellow lefties.
Even though he possesses fantastic stuff, the Texas Rangers lineup will be no easy task for Moore to navigate. He will hold the platoon advantage over 2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton; however, will face a heavy right-handed lineup with Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, and Ian Kinsler serving as lefty bashers. Because of the right-handed ability of the Texas offense, Moore will need to have good control of his fastball and supplement that with his changeup. That means working the corners with the heater and away with the off-speed.
If Moore fails in game one, the criticism will reign down on Maddon. That said, Maddon openly welcomes this sort of thing. In choosing Moore, he is putting his best available arm on the field regardless of experience. Considering how loosely the Rays have played with "house money" it is no surprise that they are going all in with a rookie starter. That said, Matt Moore is no ordinary rookie.
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Yes, Let's do tis Moore
"Well, if you guessin' it's me, you guessed correctly
I just stay with a stallion, you would swear I was an equestrian
I hit her with that pipe, call that Nancy Kerrigan
Stay on the greenest greens, call us vegetarians
You be on that minor league, but we smoke professionally"
He's baaack!
I need more Tommy in my life.
A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
Didn't come alone either!
www.espn1040.com, www.theprocessreport.com, www.bloombergsports.com Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Sep 29, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Boom!!!
i support casual racism
by Boddington on Sep 19, 2011 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I literally wish I had killed myself on the train station after I got laid off
by Sean O on Sep 28, 2011 7:49 PM PDT
I want a goddamned criminal investigation.
Over the Monster -- SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Site
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 28, 2011 7:48 PM PDT
by internet commenter on Sep 29, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
In the timeless words of Rebecca Black: We so excited!
A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
Diggin it
and there goes our season
OTM's biggest Clutch Carl fan.
by gizmosandy on Sep 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions
by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 29, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
America
Love maddon’s idea: Moore, shields, price.
by BUCSwillDOMINATE on Sep 29, 2011 10:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I love
The way our top 3 match up against theres. We have a great shot at starting the series 2-1.
I like it
I put the screw IN THE TUNA!
by Transplanted on Sep 29, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
this move
totally represents everything the Rays are all about. Ballsy, but he seems like a clear upgrade over Niemann… But how strict will they be on his workload?
"If you find a man or woman who sticks around after you tell them "I may be a demented horse, but I know CPR," you marry them. No questions asked." - kishi
From our friends at Lone Star Ball
…I think this gives us a huge edge for game one
by Eric Prince on Sep 29, 2011 8:18 PM CDT
yes I’ve seen rangers get embarrassed by new guys, but not when it really matters. I’m calling for a rout.
by sam in so cal on Sep 29, 2011 8:21 PM CDT
I’m predicting Moore doesn’t make it out of the 2nd inning tomorrow.
by Travis93 on Sep 29, 2011 9:14 PM CDT
While I am not going to say this is a lock for the Rangers
We do have our ace on the mound and Tampa’s lineup just isn’t on par with ours.
by dumdum000333 on Sep 29, 2011 9:20 PM CDT up reply
Hope he doesn’t have a good change up.
I wonder why he only went five innings in his one start? He can pitch a shutout but if he only goes five innings that probably won’t be enough.
by northtexan95 on Sep 29, 2011 8:31 PM CDT
Matt Moore won’t be able to walk right for a week.
by vfn on Sep 29, 2011 8:39 PM CDT
I actually agree with dumdum,
but the rest clearly don’t know what they’re dealing with.
A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
Agreeing with dumdum? MUCH LIKE YOUR POSTING
The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "not since they nerfed sunfire capes"
†††If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Sep 29, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Jason Parks of BP...and big Rangers fan, was on MLB Network radio tonight
“This is a big advantage for the Rays, period”
I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______
by Jason Collette on Sep 29, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. They have 3 appearances and 9.1 innings of MLB scouting on him.
The onus is definitely on the Rangers right now.
A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
"Onus"
I’m gonna need to see an English Degree if you’re gonna throw around words like that.
†††If you love Dan Johnson and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
I know exactly where it is, uh, it's on the kitchen table
near the hotplate with the frayed wires.
A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akcutrbs-C4&feature=related
The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "not since they nerfed sunfire capes"
†††If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
by Top Gun Numba 1 on Sep 30, 2011 2:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Joined.
I hope they’re more hospitable than OTM.
ROBOT.
by SandalsNoPants on Sep 29, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Only one way to find out...
blackcockgiz.gif
†††If you love Dan Johnson and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
We're pretty civilized.
Congrats to the Rays for making the playoffs again, btw. This should be another interesting series.
I shortened my sig so I wouldn't be frowned upon at Lookout Landing
You didn't post any of the ones...
where folks are drooling over the guy!
by ghostofErikThompson on Sep 30, 2011 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
don't spoil the narrative, brah.
I could care less about your graduate degree-I was a full professor at Harvard at 34 and am a full professor at Columbia now in a theoretical field whose main tool is statistical mechanics. So can can come down from your high place.
by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
obviously you aren't familiar with Cason Jollette's posting style
he’s pretty good at alienating people
I could care less about your graduate degree-I was a full professor at Harvard at 34 and am a full professor at Columbia now in a theoretical field whose main tool is statistical mechanics. So can can come down from your high place.
by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I loled at the 'why'd he only go five innings' guy.
I didn’t head over there, but figured that the majority of your people aren’t that stupid.
I don't always think of epic collapses, but when I do, I prefer the 2011 Red Sox and Braves. Stay salty my friends.
MORE MOORE
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
does this assure Moore is in the rotation to start next year?
i mean, if they’re going to start him in this game…
Not unless there's a trade.
i support casual racism
by Boddington on Sep 19, 2011 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I literally wish I had killed myself on the train station after I got laid off
by Sean O on Sep 28, 2011 7:49 PM PDT
I want a goddamned criminal investigation.
Over the Monster -- SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Site
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 28, 2011 7:48 PM PDT
by internet commenter on Sep 29, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
See ya, Niemann. It's been nice!
ORRR Niemann to BP?
ROBOT.
by SandalsNoPants on Sep 29, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
He's too good to be moved to a BP. Much more value as a trade, IMO. Guy's a legit 3rd starter on 50% of MLB teams.
†††If you love Dan Johnson and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
Arb eligible next year. I'm not sure his value is that high.
i support casual racism
by Boddington on Sep 19, 2011 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I literally wish I had killed myself on the train station after I got laid off
by Sean O on Sep 28, 2011 7:49 PM PDT
I want a goddamned criminal investigation.
Over the Monster -- SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Site
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 28, 2011 7:48 PM PDT
by internet commenter on Sep 30, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I honestly don't see him banking all that much from arb. Injury history, lack of "flashy stats" like wins, ERA, etc. which are stupid, but seem to matter in contract negotiations.
This is without making comparisons to similar pitchers, but I wouldn’t think more than $3M? That’s off the cuff. This might make a good fanpost. Anyway, many teams can afford this for 180 innings from a dependable starter. Maybe I’m overvaluing him, though.
†††If you love Dan Johnson and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
.
“If Moore fails in game one, the criticism will reign down on Maddon. "
The sad part is that even most Rays fans are calling for him. And then if he does fail, some will be hyprocrites and call it a bad move.
Personally, I’d rather go down with our best than take a risky bet elsewhere. I am not against EVER starting Niemann and stuff, but I’d rather try to set the tone in game one.
Love it
I hope he’s locating the fastball and has a good feel for the change. It seems like he regards the change as his 3rd pitch even if he does bring it to righties a bit. Going to have to keep these hitters honest as they hit fastballs even better than the Yankees and we saw how that turned out when Price was just throwing and not pitching.
and there goes our season
OTM's biggest Clutch Carl fan.
by gizmosandy on Sep 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions
So if Moore's starting game 1, which starter is out of the playoff roster?
Price, Shields, Moore, obviously in. Which one (two?) from Hellickson, Niemann, Davis, Torres? My vote is for both Helly and NyQuil, because either one can work in relief if needed. Fill out the bullpen with Farnsy, Peralta, McGee, and Gomes. Anyone else?
†††If you love Dan Johnson and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!†††
I'm definitely thinking Niemann needs to go bullpen-wise.
I’m planning on having a piece in the morning on the matter.
A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
REIGN
ugh
I could care less about your graduate degree-I was a full professor at Harvard at 34 and am a full professor at Columbia now in a theoretical field whose main tool is statistical mechanics. So can can come down from your high place.
by Buzzy on Sep 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
by pudieron89 on Sep 30, 2011 12:48 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
You think Maddon will stretch him out past 100 pitches or around there if he's pitching well?
There won’t really be a need to if the Rays rough up Wilson early, of course, but if it’s close and Moore is doing well, it might we worth trying to make this start worth it as he will probably see limited action.
Not to mention the Rays probably still want to use him out of the bullpen more rather than start.
Premature rosterbation
Kevin Youklis anyone?
where are my gifs? is this a new thread? you guys are litl fucking sluts. uck you guys. i bet you guys tmpons in the womines bathromms and pay 75 cents for each ne. fuck you
by daveh33 on Sep 3, 2010 11:09 PM EDT reply actions
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Sep 30, 2011 7:37 AM EDT reply actions
Not unless he's free.
I don't always think of epic collapses, but when I do, I prefer the 2011 Red Sox and Braves. Stay salty my friends.
Is he signed through '12?
I don’t think he is available and I don’t want him. Too injury prone. And he is gross. Now, Ortiz I would take in a heartbeat and he is definitely a FA this year.
I thought I read they may want to move him because he has a hard time staying on the field.
I’d take him at 1B/DH.
where are my gifs? is this a new thread? you guys are litl fucking sluts. uck you guys. i bet you guys tmpons in the womines bathromms and pay 75 cents for each ne. fuck you
by daveh33 on Sep 3, 2010 11:09 PM EDT reply actions
by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Sep 30, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Youk
Has very little chance of playing for the Rays. Joe had a taste of Youk’s aggressive playing style during the season,and it did not sit well with Joe. I think one of the requirements of playing for the Rays,is that the manager has to trust that you will fit into the system. That is why Dopez had a hard time in St. Pete.
Disagree, we signed Manny.
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
by FreeZorilla on Sep 30, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I would never be able to root for that guy. He makes me want to puke.
and there goes our season
OTM's biggest Clutch Carl fan.
by gizmosandy on Sep 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions
by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 30, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, Maddon has some cojones
I’m going to have to find a way to watch this game today
I don't think Niemann is healthy. He looked rough his last start.
Velocity down and not locating his pitches. It may be a fatigue thing where if he skips a start or two, he is fine. I don’t think it’s less risky to start Moore than to start Niemann.
I agree Mr. M.J.R.
I also watched Neimann pitch against the rangers in early Sep. He started out walking the first batter on four pitches and did not look very confident against them. Jeff can be very dominating when his 6-12 curveball has a high nasty factor going. But I agree with you that Jeff might not be feeling at his best right now.
Matt Moore is an excellent decision by Joe.
Been pondering the difference btwn this year and last year
Last year, everybody wanted Helly, but Joe went with a struggling Yields. This year, he pulls the trigger and goes with Moore, even though (for all his obvious talent), this move has much higher likelihood of backfiring than starting Helly would have last year.
Why the change in strategy? Is it b/c last year’s choice went badly? I hardly think that the Rays would fall victim to that kind of results-based analysis. No, I think the answer is much simpler: these are the choices a team makes when it’s playing with house money. There’s no cojones involved. Matt Moore has some of the best stuff in baseball, so why the hell not? Maybe you catch lightning in bottle, and roll all the way to a WS title. Or maybe it blows up in your face. In which case, well, so what?
I think Joe
may have made this decision a few weeks ago. If you look at how Joe has used Matt leading up to now,it looks like it has been planned to me,or at least an option, I don’t think this is a desperation move.
I didn't mean it was a desperation move
It’s a move with huge upside…and huge downside. But you disregard the downside possibilities, b/c we shouldn’t really be here anyway.
We deserve to be here
moore than any other team in the league. We have the best pitching and defense in the game.
The downside is that he looks like crap and you pull him after 3-4 while still having a rested bullpen and your workhorse going the next day.
There isn’t all that much downside and the upside is through the roof. With Niemann it would have been pretty much reversed.
and there goes our season
OTM's biggest Clutch Carl fan.
by gizmosandy on Sep 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions
by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 30, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Just saying that we don’t make this move last year. That team was built to win it as constructed, so you don’t roll the dice.
by nomoredevil on Sep 30, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
probably because moore is the best option available
(sans running shields out on 3 days rest)
Shields started game 2 because he would have given up 69 home runs if he had to pitch in Arlington.
and there goes our season
OTM's biggest Clutch Carl fan.
by gizmosandy on Sep 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions
by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 30, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
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