Two promising young left-handers will take the mound at 2:05 p.m. in Arlington, Texas, when the Texas Rangers (6-2) host the Tampa Bay Rays (3-5) at Rangers Ballpark. The game will be broadcast on FOX SW, and can be live streamed for free here or for a fee with better picture here.
The Rangers, usually known for their powerful offense, have ridden the third best ERA in the American League through eight games (3.02) to a 6-2 start and early first place tie. The star of Texas' rotation is Yu Darvish, but today 26-year-old lefty Derek Holland will take the hill. He broke out in 2011, when he won 16 games and pitched to a 3.95 ERA and tossed four complete game shutouts.
In 2012, Holland took a step back, going 12-7 with a 4.65 ERA and 17 fewer strikeouts. He began 2013 on the right track, going seven innings and surrendering six hits and just two runs, while striking out five batters against the vaunted Angels lineup.
Tampa Bay will counter with an even more highly touted left-hander, 23-year-old Matt Moore. Moore's 2013 debut went well; he pitched six innings and racked up eight strikeouts, while only giving up two hits and one walk in a victory over the Cleveland Indians. Big things are expected of the youngster, who was 11-11 last year, his first full season as a starter. He had a 3.81 ERA, recorded 175 strikeouts, but could stand to improve on a 1.385 WHIP.
The Rays struggles stem from anemic offensive output thus far. They boast the third worst batting average in the American League (.231), have hit the second fewest home runs (four), are fourth from the bottom in runs scored (30), and are dead last in on-base plus slugging percentage (.630).
Watch for Ben Zobrist to key the Rays if they are able to muster up some offense against Holland. According to ESPN.com, Zobrist has seven hits in his last 21 at-bats against Holland, including four extra-base hits.
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