Joe Maddon is taking a risk and starting Matt Moore in game one of the ALDS against Texas. Wow. The rookie gets his first major league start on the big stage, against a team that are not AAA hitters. Moore got his first major league start versus the Yankees and did quite well.
The Rangers struck out 930 times in the 2011 season, the lowest total in the AL. Matt Moore’s strength takes on the Rangers strength head on. This should be fun. Of course, Jeff Niemann will be available if the idea blows up early.
Hat tip, Hardball Talk.
Correction: This would not be Moore’s first MLB start.
Maybe I misunderstood your statement, but Matt Moore already had his first major league start, and it was against a comparable lineup. He faced the Yankees one week ago, throwing 5 innings of 4 hit, 1bb ball, with 11 strikeouts. The Yankees starters included Jeter, Teixera, and Swisher.
Should we call this a reverse Howard Ehmke?
JW » Thank you for that. I made the correction.
Maddon taking a risk? Yes. But the reward so greatly outweighs the risk.
Did you know it was bench coach Joe Maddon who talked Mike Scioscia into starting John Lackey in Game 7 of the ’02 World Series?
Maddon is a genius.