Coming into the 2013 season Alex Cobb was not on most people’s list for the ace of the Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff. Actually most of those lists were very short including only David Price, the cy-young winner, as the ace. The thing is, Price is the ace of this staff. What is interesting is that Price was one of the few that were singing Cobb’s praise before the season. Price even said according to some sources that maybe Cobb ought to have started opening day.
The sophomore season for Cobb has started out just as the last several starts of the 2012 rookie season ended. That is really good because he won seven of eight to end the season and is doing much of the same so far in 2013. Against the New York Yankees he pitched 8.1 innings giving up only three hits and zero runs. The timely hitting of the Rays wasn’t enough of a cushion for Cobb to stay in through the ninth but his mark was well placed on the game.
One can’t help but wonder if it is possible for another Rays team that honestly seems to be a middle of the pack team at best to produce a different Cy-Young winner for a second straight season? I doubt Cobb will be in the top few votes for the award but if he continues this type of pitching there is no reason he shouldn’t be. Eventually he will cool down but he has established himself as a go-to guy for a good seven to nine pitched innings. What more could any manager ask for?
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
