The Rays aren't kidding about being serious in using relievers to start games.
After unveiling the strategy last weekend against the Angels, manager Kevin Cash said they planned to use it again, and he made that official on Thursday, naming Sergio Romo to start Friday and Sunday vs. the Orioles, and Ryne Stanek on Saturday.
"Look, it worked," Cash said. "Not committing that it's going to work, but we liked the thought of going through that lineup that's somewhat similar to the Angels in that they're very, very heavy righty. Generally, they have Chris Davis hitting fourth or fifth, somewhere in there, so that's the lone lefty that hits up at the top most of the time. So it should stack up similar to what we did against Anaheim and hopefully we have some similar success."
The idea is for the starter, or as some prefer, "opener" to get the first three-six outs, then turn the game over to one of their young pitchers who, in theory, can then work deeper into the game since he is starting against the bottom of the order and, if he is getting outs, won't have to face the tough top-of-the-order hitters for the oft-onerous third time.
The Rays feel confident that Romo, who started against the Angels Saturday and Sunday, will have success against the Orioles lineup, which is similarly heavy with right-handers. With Stanek, Cash acknowledged it's more to try to get him pitching better with a different look, similar to what some managers, such as Joe Maddon, do with slumping hitters by moving them to the top of the order.
