Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Everything is coming together at exactly the right time for the Tampa Bay Rays. They are far from out of the woods as far as contenders for their wildcard playoff spot go but their winning ways as well as their remaining schedule suggest they will be one of the teams in that playoff game. Given that, they look to be lining up so that Alex Cobb could pitch that game on plenty of rest, giving the other starters a chance to line-up for a LDS spot.
As important as it would be to get Cobb into the first game of a division series, it is much more important obviously to have a solid clutch starter in that critical one game playoff. Cobb is the best choice between him, David Price and Matt Moore. Since he returned from the disabled list, Cobb has only given up more than two runs on two occasions out of eight starts. That includes the only time he faced the Texas Rangers this season.
He went eight innings against the Rangers giving up six hits and two runs to pick up the win. The other team he may face in that game would be the Cleveland Indians. He has one start against them as well this season in which he went 7.1 innings giving up only four hits and zero runs. The Rangers game was recently and he also struck out 10 batters proving just how good he is pitching right now.
The other two guys would be good choices as well but Cobb is the best choice for that game. Once they get passed that it is a toss-up which one should be given top billing. The most important game all season long however, in which no starter can afford one bad inning or it will cost then entire season should see Cobb get the ball.
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
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