Now that the Tampa Bay Rays have clinched their first-ever playoff berth.
MLB Baseball NewsNow that the Tampa Bay Rays have clinched their first-ever playoff berth. They can turn their eyes toward the future.
Top prospect David Price will make his first major league start on Monday as the Rays take on the Baltimore Orioles.
Hes chomping at the bit, Rays manager Joe Maddon said. He wants me to know hes there, he wants me to know hes good (to throw), and I like it. So we will give him the start.
Price, the first overall pick of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt, has made two appearances out of the bullpen since being called up from Class AAA Durham earlier this month. He has allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, striking out six without issuing a walk.
The Rays (92-62) still hold a lead over the Boston Red Sox (91-64) in the American League East, but that lead was trimmed to just 1 1/2 games on Sunday as the Rays lost to the Minnesota Twins, 4-1, and the Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-0. Price will take the hill with huge October implications on the line.
It shows they have a lot of trust in me, Price said. These games are huge games for us.
But at the very least, the Rays have a playoff spot secured, and now have to work on getting their postseason roster in order.
To that end, the team will get try to get a good, long look at Price.
Im excited, Price said. My main goal is to get on the postseason roster. Theres no difference in preparation (from starting and his recent bullpen stints). Theres a lot of excitement. Ive been waiting 23 years for it. Im glad its finally here.
Price, a 6-6, 225-pound lefthander, made a rapid rise through the minor league ranks this season. He started his professional career this spring with Class A Vero Beach, moved up to Class AA Montgomery in July and then to Durham in August.
In the three stints combined, he went 12-1 with a 2.30 ERA, striking out 109 batters in 109 2/3 innings. He gave up just 30 hits and issued 32 walks.
Matt Garza was originally scheduled to start on Monday, but Maddon said he likes the matchup of Price against the Orioles, whose regular batting order includes three lefties and two switch hitters.
Just looking at the Orioles, Maddon said, if you look at (Prices) record this year, he does nice against lefthanded hitters.
Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm and is filed under MLB Baseball News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
