Game 1 Notes: Moore vs Young

After the storm of the century rocked Missouri/Kansas last night and the entire land of Oz was rocked, the Rays settled into their hotel rooms uncertain of the world they'd wake up to in the morning. Well and behold, the sun arose and they could look out their windows to see the green pastures covered with rows of all varieties of corn. Today, they'd get to play baseball...twice.

Unfortunately for Rays fans, they will not be able to see the first game on the twin bill as Sun Sports has decided they'd rather air a prime-time game and scheduled to air a game in August against Houston. Thus causing all local fans to miss Matt Moore yet again, as his season debut was also not televised by Sun Sports.

Matt Moore was good in his season debut...actually, maybe he was solid or possibly even awful depending on what part of the game you watched on Thursday. He made it through the first three innings scoreless, despite allowing some hard hit balls. It the fourth, it was clear he was struggling with his command, but he still went out for the fifth. That's when the wheels fell off and he'd allow a total of four runs and he'd only record two outs before being relieved.

With the rainout, a double header was scheduled for today rather than tomorrow or Thursday due to the weather forecast. The double header allow the Rays to call-up a 26th man just for today, which they've already done in the form of Matt Andriese who will be starting second game tonight at eight. Alex Colome will/could be used out of the bullpen tonight, perhaps foreshadowing his future role with the team after Jake Odorizzi (who was excellent in his rehab start last night) is activated.

Going to the mound for the Royals will be Chris Young.

Chris Young Scouting Report:

Chris Young has journeyed around for most of his career, struggling with injuries. He was an allstar back in 2007, but he's a completely different pitcher since that time, having torn his labrum back in 2009. Young is also one of the tallest pitchers in the game, standing in at 6'10.

So far this season, Young is 7-4 with a 2.64 ERA and a 3.88 FIP to go along with a 15.7 K% and a 7.0 BB% over the course of 17 games (11 starts) and 75 innings pitched.

His Arsenal (which looks like what a position player would throw):

PITCH	VELOCITY	FREQUENCY	vs LHB	vs RHB
Fastball	High 80's	64% vs LHB *** 55% vs RHB	NA	NA
Slider	Low 80's	33% vs LHB *** 45% vs RHB	NA	NA
Change	Low 80's	03% vs LHB *** 00% vs RHB	NA	NA

Over his career, Young has been an extreme flyball pitcher, generating them 54.9% of the time over his career and 56.1% this year. Meanwhile hitters have hit ground balls 26.5% of the time and line drives 17.5% of the time this season.

Opposing hitter have been struggiling mightly with Young this year, especially righties as they have slashed .155/.195/.339 with 4 HR to go along with a 18.5 K% and a 4.4 BB% in 135 trips to the plate. Meanwhile lefties have slashed .233/.307/.381 with 3 HR to go along with a 13.3 K% and a 9.1 BB% in 165 trips to the plate.

Other Rays Notes:

- John Jaso activated, Steven Souza to the DL, & Preston Guilmet DFA'd

#Rays activate Jaso, put Souza on DL, DFA Guilmet

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 7, 2015

- Several Rays prospects have found themselves in Baseball America's top 50, with Brent Honeywell being the top rank.

#Rays have 3 in @BaseballAmerica midseason Top 50 - Brent Honeywell (40), Blake Snell (41), Willy Adames (44) https://t.co/sb7bav5yX9

— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) July 7, 2015

- If Matt Andriese were a DRB commenter, he'd be torn apart.

Congrats to my boys @Brad_Boxberger and @ChrisArcher42 on making there first all star game. Well deserved! #AllStarGame #Rays

— Matt Andriese (@MAndriese) July 7, 2015

- Some Rays double header history

Today is 24th DH in #Rays history - split or traditional - they are 4-10-9

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 7, 2015

- July 7th in team history. of which the the team is 8-7 alltime

• 2002 - In a game against the Angels in Anaheim, the Devil Rays strike first thanks to a leadoff HR from the team's lone allstar game representative, Randy Winn. Then, they proceed be shutout for the next nine innings in game that went into extras. The Angels would win the game in the bottom of the 10th, after Tim Salmon's single scored Jose NIeves from 3rd giving LA a 2-1 victory.
• 2006 - A surprising pitching duel brokeout during a Devil Rays / Yankees game as Jae-Wong Seo and Jaret Wright combined to allow one run and strikeout 14 in 13 total innings of work. The Yankees would win the game and shutout Tampa Bay, 1-0.

• 2007 - After taking a two run lead into the bottom of the eight inning against Kansas City, the Royals cross the plate three times to take the lead. That inning featured five straight walks before Tampa Bay could record an out. Tampa Bay would comeback to tie the game in the 9th, only to lose in walkoff fashion as Mark Grudzielanek singled Tony Pena in from third winning the game, 8-7.

• 2008 - After Carlos Pena hits a dramatic solo HR to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th against Kansas City, Dan Wheeler is rocked for four runs in the top of the 10th. The Rays would attempt a comeback in the bottom half via an Eric Hinske HR, but unfortunately lost 7-4.

• 2009 - Perhaps the most unlikeliest of heroes, Pat Burrell actually hits a meaningful HR for Tampa Bay as it's a two run walkoff shot against the Seattle Mariners.

• 2013 - David Price continues his dominance after being activated from the DL as he throws a complete game against the White Sox and does so only using 98 pitches.

• 2014 - James Shields makes his triumphant return to the Trop for the first time since being dealt back in 2012. He would outpitch one of the players he was dealt for, Jake Odorizzi.