Rays Blank Rangers; Is Tampa Bay the American League's Team to Beat?
Matt Moore? Who's Matt Moore? Isn't he that quarterback for the Miami Dolphins or something?
Yes, but there's another Matt Moore who will become much more heralded.
Moore, a southpaw making his second career start, blanked the Rangers and keyed Tampa Bay's 9-0 win over the Rangers in the playoff opener. Moore struck out six in seven innings.
The kid's dominating fastball and powerful off-speed pitches were the masterful combo he used to punch out the Rangers, who had pounded opponents with power and speed, with their bats and on the paths.
He was backed by three homers, two from catcher Kelly Shoppach, who isn't known for being a heavy hitter. Johnny Damon hit a two-run jack as well to back Moore and open the scoring.
Tampa Bay only got two hits, both provided by Josh Hamilton. Moore may have had adrenaline rushing throughout his body, but he didn't show it. After striking out 11 against the Yankees in a big September 22 win, he got another huge W for the Rays.
People were seeing this as an easy win for the Rangers, although they entered the game 3-8 at home in the postseason, including two home losses to the Rays last year.
But Moore showed otherwise, as Rangers ace C.J Wilson pitched supposedly his worse game of the year, while Moore pitched one of his best. He has made a couple relief appearances.
As Moore stated, it's easier to pitch with run support, and Moore got some and made the most of it. Shoppach caught a gem, and jacked two, backing the stable Moore.
Texas knew C.J would pitch a week ago, and they had him prepared. Tampa Bay didn't know if they would make the playoffs until Evan Longoria's dramatic line-drive homer sent the Rays to the playoffs, minutes after Robert Andino's single completed the Red Sox historic collapse.
Even with many light-hitting bats and old players, the Rays have found away to make the playoffs and gain an edge. No Carl Crawford. No Carlos Pena. Just hot-hitting Evan Longoria, experienced Johnny Damon, and inconsistent Ben Zobrist.
This, plus a core of pitchers consisting of David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and Moore doesn't seem like much, but it is. And when the bats are smacking baseballs hard and far, and the staff is hitting spots and in control, this is a formidable team.
The Rangers have Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, and a bunch of guys who can whack the ball all around the park, but will it be enough?
Last year, you saw the Rangers lose two games at home to Tampa Bay and need two gems from Cliff Lee to get by Tampa Bay, and now, they are struggling again.
Nobody expected Tampa Bay to make the playoffs when they were nine games back, and now, nobody expects the Rays to go far. But you should.
Or else, they will sting you. Sting you so badly you can't shake it off, as they swim through the playoffs.
Yes, but there's another Matt Moore who will become much more heralded.
Moore, a southpaw making his second career start, blanked the Rangers and keyed Tampa Bay's 9-0 win over the Rangers in the playoff opener. Moore struck out six in seven innings.
The kid's dominating fastball and powerful off-speed pitches were the masterful combo he used to punch out the Rangers, who had pounded opponents with power and speed, with their bats and on the paths.
He was backed by three homers, two from catcher Kelly Shoppach, who isn't known for being a heavy hitter. Johnny Damon hit a two-run jack as well to back Moore and open the scoring.
Tampa Bay only got two hits, both provided by Josh Hamilton. Moore may have had adrenaline rushing throughout his body, but he didn't show it. After striking out 11 against the Yankees in a big September 22 win, he got another huge W for the Rays.
People were seeing this as an easy win for the Rangers, although they entered the game 3-8 at home in the postseason, including two home losses to the Rays last year.
But Moore showed otherwise, as Rangers ace C.J Wilson pitched supposedly his worse game of the year, while Moore pitched one of his best. He has made a couple relief appearances.
As Moore stated, it's easier to pitch with run support, and Moore got some and made the most of it. Shoppach caught a gem, and jacked two, backing the stable Moore.
Texas knew C.J would pitch a week ago, and they had him prepared. Tampa Bay didn't know if they would make the playoffs until Evan Longoria's dramatic line-drive homer sent the Rays to the playoffs, minutes after Robert Andino's single completed the Red Sox historic collapse.
Even with many light-hitting bats and old players, the Rays have found away to make the playoffs and gain an edge. No Carl Crawford. No Carlos Pena. Just hot-hitting Evan Longoria, experienced Johnny Damon, and inconsistent Ben Zobrist.
This, plus a core of pitchers consisting of David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and Moore doesn't seem like much, but it is. And when the bats are smacking baseballs hard and far, and the staff is hitting spots and in control, this is a formidable team.
The Rangers have Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, and a bunch of guys who can whack the ball all around the park, but will it be enough?
Last year, you saw the Rangers lose two games at home to Tampa Bay and need two gems from Cliff Lee to get by Tampa Bay, and now, they are struggling again.
Nobody expected Tampa Bay to make the playoffs when they were nine games back, and now, nobody expects the Rays to go far. But you should.
Or else, they will sting you. Sting you so badly you can't shake it off, as they swim through the playoffs.
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