Matt Garza

had a great start (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K) and really making it a pitcher’s duel against Matt Garza (7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K).  I absolutely love games like this where it’s close up until the very end.  Of course you can’t have a close game without having good relief pitching in addition to great starting pitching.  We got some of that last night from Hideki Okajima who was lights out – 1.2 IP and no one got on base.  That was nice flashback of the Okajima we know and loved from 2007.  Ramon Ramirez (I love this guy) recorded the final out of the 8th, leaving the door open for Papelbon to come in for the 9th. 

Continue reading "Beckett, the Bullpen, and Bay make us Believe"

Behind the leadership of Joe Madden, the Rays seemed to have reached the Promised Land.  Then Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett were acquired midseason from the Twins.  The Rays held on and won the American League East Title. Next they beat the Chicago White Sox in Round One of the American League Playoffs.  Up next was the mighty Red Sox, who after falling behind 3 games to 1 and on the brink of extinction pulled off an improbably and precedent setting comeback.  Momentum seemed to have switched in favor of Beantown.  On Saturday night, Josh Beckett led the Red Sox to a win to even the series.  It set up a match of young flamethrowers, Garza vs Jon Lester.  Both pitchers threw well, but in the year of the Wonderdogs, is it any surprise that for seven innings, Garza, the former Fresno State Bulldog, would be almost perfect as the Rays took a 3-1 decision and earned a trip to the World Series.

Continue reading "Year of the Underdog"

James Shields was drafted in 2000, and Andy Sonnanstine in 2004. They traded for Matt Garza—ridding themselves of troublemaker (and extra outfielder) Delwyn Young—and Edwin Jackson, giving up Danys Baez and Lance Carter (both NLIPB). That’s some good swapping and drafting right there, and that’s their current rotation.

Continue reading "Hold On To Your Hats"

t Kazmir and James Shields will anchor a young rotation and will be joined by former Twins prospect Matt Garza. Carlos Pena, Cliff Floyd and Troy Percival should provide veteran leadership to help this young team through the grind of the Major Leage season. The Rays won't contend for the division this year, but could finish around .500 and prove to be problematic for the teams at the top of the division. With more talent from the minors on the way, especially top pitching prospects Wade Davis and David Price, Tampa Bay might be able to contend with the big boys in a couple of years.

Continue reading "American League East is a Beast of a Division"