Tampa Bay Rays to go with Six Man Rotation

The Tampa Bay Rays started the year with a four man rotation as their schedule allowed for them to employ that strategy. When the fifth man joined, something went wrong (injuries) that sent the team into a tailspin (injuries). The team went through a brutal stretch (injuries) and now are in last place in the division and no where close to the 4th place team, the New York Yankees.

So, with September now quickly approaching and with it, the rosters expanding from a 25 man limit to an enormous 40-man, allowing for manager to employ a handful of pitchers each night. For the Rays, it’ll allow Kevin Cash to manage some of his starters innings, mainly Blake Snell, Drew Smyly, and Alex Cobb, as he'll expand the starting rotation to six men.

Starting the first game of September will be Alex Cobb, who will start Friday night. He hasn’t pitched a major league game since September 28th, 2014 so just a month short of a two year absence. Following Cobb, will be rookie Blake Snell, and then Chris Archer. The next three in order will be Matt Andriese, Jake Odorizzi, and Drew Smyly. Chase Whitley will be used a piggy back option out of the bullpen.