Rays Spring Game 23: Time for Matt Moore to Get on Track

So far this spring, we have excused Matt Moore‘s 11 walks in 10.1 innings pitched because it has happened amid a major gain in velocity. Moore’s fastball has shown flashes of being in the 94 to 97 MPH range again, and if it stays there, that bodes extremely well for Moore this season. Nevertheless, Moore has to know where his pitches are going, and with the regular season just eight days away, it is time for him to show that he does. Here is the Rays’ lineup for their matchup with the Boston Red Sox.

1. Logan Forsythe, 3B
2. David DeJesus, DH
3. Wil Myers, RF
4. Desmond Jennings, CF
5. Sean Rodriguez, 1B
6. Matt Joyce, LF
7. Ryan Hanigan, C
8. Jayson Nix, 2B
9. Ray Olmedo, SS
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Starting Pitcher: Matt Moore

The Rays’ starting infield is absent, but Forsythe, Rodriguez, and Nix will all get another audition for the role of lefty-mashing backup infielder with Felix Doubront on the mound. DeJesus and Joyce, meanwhile, are both starting against the lefty and have the chance to show that they deserve more playing time.

On the mound, Moore will be the player to watch, but behind him we will see three interesting players: Juan Carlos Oviedo in his spring debut, Mark Lowe, and Brandon Gomes. Oviedo hopes to impress and prove that he can be in the big leagues in short order, while Lowe hopes to cement his place in the Rays bullpen. With news of Lowe having an opt-out breaking, Gomes’ odds are longer, but he has been incredible this spring and will keep pushing to have a chance.

They game will begin at 1:05 PM and can be found on MLB.TV (Red Sox broadcast), WDAE, and Gameday Audio. Enjoy the game, and check back at Rays Colored Glasses for the recap.