Tampa Bay Rays: Strong pitching leads to series win

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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – MARCH 28: Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays walks off the field after the fifth inning against the Houston Astros During Opening Day at Tropicana Field on March 28, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Blake Snell:

6 IP, L
5 ER
3K/2BB
3 HR

Blake Snell took home baseball’s most prestigious award for pitchers this offseason and is poised to prove that his dominating performance wasn’t a fluke. He didn’t exactly get off to the best of starts in 2019, but don’t worry, he showed signs of his 2018 self in Thursday’s start.

In what was his first career Opening Day start, Blake Snell came out firing, setting down the first 4 batters he faced. Then in the 3rd, 2 would reach base and George Springer would send a hanging curveball off the facade of the porch in center.

Blake Snell allowed a solo shot in each of the two innings that followed, giving the Astros a 5-1 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Blake admitted he wasn’t happy with his pitch sequencing and his control and I would have to second that notion. But, his ability to throw his changeup in any count still proved tricky for hitters to handle. His devastating curveball also made a few appearances.

In the end, Snell made a handful of mistakes to one of the best, if not the best lineups in baseball, and they capitalized on all of them.

Look for a bounce back start from the Rays ace on Tuesday against a very talented southpaw, Kyle Freeland of the Colorado Rockies.