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Tampa Bay Rays Top 10 Pitching Seasons Ever

By Austin Reimann
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox July 15, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox July 15, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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ST PETERSBURG, FL – OCTOBER 19: (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images). Tampa Bay Rays
ST PETERSBURG, FL – OCTOBER 19: (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images). Tampa Bay Rays /

#10 Matt Garza’s 2008 – Tampa Bay Rays

Matt Garza makes his final appearance on the list at #10 with his 2008 campaign. Not only was his first year in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform campaign a career year in a few categories but it also helped lead the Rays to their first and only World Series appearance.

Breakdown:

  • Record: 11-9
  • ERA: 3.70
  • IP: 184.2
  • ERA+: 119
  • K: 128
  • WAR: 3.4

Matt Garza’s 2008 season was one of the most successful of his career and one of the most important in Rays history. The regular season numbers are mediocre but he did post the second highest ERA+ of his career and won 11 games which he only surpassed once in his career, in 2010.

His value to the Rays, and the reason his 2008 season is ranked within the top ten is because of his postseason performance, especially in the American League Championship Series. During the 2008 ALCS, Garza made two starts against the defending world champion Red Sox.

Across two starts, one coming in Game 7, Garza gave up 2 runs across 13 innings of work, striking out 14 while earning 2 wins. He won the ALCS MVP award and proved to be a pivotal piece ton the Rays magical run.

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