Tampa Bay Rays SP Alex Cobb Clinches Series Over New York Yankees


The Tampa Bay Rays earned a series win against the New York Yankees thanks to their pitching, and no starter was more impressive than Alex Cobb was Wednesday.

Cobb was almost unhittable, giving up just three hits and one walk while striking out seven in 8.1 innings pitched. He went into the ninth inning and was taken out for closer Fernando Rodney after giving up a single to Brett Gardner with one out. Rodney closed the door to help Cobb earn his third win in four starts.

Every single one of his starts has been a quality start, and he has at least six strikeouts in all but one of those performances. His ERA now sits at an immaculate 1.82 on the season with a WHIP of 1.04. The 25-year-old has built on a decent but underwhelming rookie year to become a really good starting pitcher.

The sophomore went 11-9 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in his rookie year, but his numbers below the surface showed he could be poised to break out. A closer look showed a well above average xFIP (expected fielding independent pitching) of 3.54 and very solid 2.0 WAR (wins above replacement).

Penciled in as the No. 4 starter in the Rays rotation, he combines with David Price (struggling right now but still an ace), Matt Moore (4-0, 29 Ks, 1.04 ERA) and Jeremy Hellickson (3.55 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) to form one of the most formidable rotations in baseball. Their lineup may not stack up to other teams in the American League East, but with that rotation and a big stick waiting in the minors in outfielder Wil Myers, the Rays will be in the hunt.

Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Rarleo, ‘Like’ him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.

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