After the Red Sox's historical meltdown in the last month of the year, the Tampa Bay Rays came in and returned to the playoffs with an impressive 91-71 mark. Nevertheless they'd afterwards lose to the Texas Rangers in the first round, crushing their search to return to the World Series. No one predicted them to be a threat last season after losing their top batters in Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, so it was still a moral win for Tampa Bay. Having one of the very finest starting pitchers in the MLB, you can't count out Tampa Bay in the American League East. Here are the projected starters and closer situation for the Rays in 2012. Get more information on the franchise in our 2012 Tampa Bay Rays predictions.
Projected Rotation
David Price (LHP) - After a brilliant 2010 campaign, where he went 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The 26-year-old had a below average season in 2011 thanks largely to his team's poor offense. He went just 12-13 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 34 games. Price was just the ninth starter in MLB history to finish with a losing record regardless of striking out at least 200 batters and ERA under 3.50.
James Shields (RHP) - After going 13-15 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 33 starts in 2010, Shields completely turned it around and had a superb 2011 campaign. He came out and went 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 33 starts last year. Aside from that, he also led the league with 11 complete games and 4 shutouts.
Jeremy Hellickson (RHP) - Hellickson's rookie campaign was nothing to scoff at, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 29 starts. The 24-year-old certainly has what is required to be a No.1 starter, but he needs to lower his walk rate before he can earn that title.
Wade Davis (RHP) - The Rays are hoping Davis can build off his 2011 season and truly fulfill the ambitious expectations given to him. He went 11-10 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 29 starts, like what he probably did in 2010. At twenty six, he's still entering the prime of his career and will be in just his third year as a fulltime starter.
Matt Moore (LHP) - Moore definitely impressed a lot of people in his first season with Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old pitching phenom struck out 11 batters in 5 scoreless innings against the Yankees and followed that up by shutting out the Rangers over 7 innings in their only win of the postseason. Tampa Bay is definitely euphoric over their young star.
Projected Closer
Kyle Farnsworth (RHP) - In his first full year as the Rays first closer, he converted 25 of 31 save chances while posting a 2.18 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He certainly held his own and if it was not for the starters throwing so many complete games, he would have saved nearer to 35 last season. His elbow is a worry, but he has got the potential to save plenty of games in 2012.
Projected Rotation
David Price (LHP) - After a brilliant 2010 campaign, where he went 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The 26-year-old had a below average season in 2011 thanks largely to his team's poor offense. He went just 12-13 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 34 games. Price was just the ninth starter in MLB history to finish with a losing record regardless of striking out at least 200 batters and ERA under 3.50.
James Shields (RHP) - After going 13-15 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 33 starts in 2010, Shields completely turned it around and had a superb 2011 campaign. He came out and went 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 33 starts last year. Aside from that, he also led the league with 11 complete games and 4 shutouts.
Jeremy Hellickson (RHP) - Hellickson's rookie campaign was nothing to scoff at, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 29 starts. The 24-year-old certainly has what is required to be a No.1 starter, but he needs to lower his walk rate before he can earn that title.
Wade Davis (RHP) - The Rays are hoping Davis can build off his 2011 season and truly fulfill the ambitious expectations given to him. He went 11-10 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 29 starts, like what he probably did in 2010. At twenty six, he's still entering the prime of his career and will be in just his third year as a fulltime starter.
Matt Moore (LHP) - Moore definitely impressed a lot of people in his first season with Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old pitching phenom struck out 11 batters in 5 scoreless innings against the Yankees and followed that up by shutting out the Rangers over 7 innings in their only win of the postseason. Tampa Bay is definitely euphoric over their young star.
Projected Closer
Kyle Farnsworth (RHP) - In his first full year as the Rays first closer, he converted 25 of 31 save chances while posting a 2.18 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He certainly held his own and if it was not for the starters throwing so many complete games, he would have saved nearer to 35 last season. His elbow is a worry, but he has got the potential to save plenty of games in 2012.
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