Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Alex Cobb is on a mission to prove why he is one of the best pitchers in Tampa Bay franchise history
29-year-old Alexander Cobb just passed his sixth anniversary in the major leagues. But those six years have been a roller coaster, to say the least.
Health Is Cobb’s Biggest Concern
Cobb is striving to make 2017 his best year yet, all the while hoping to get through the season without suffering any sort of injury. From a blood clot in 2011, a line drive to the skull in 2013, oblique issues in 2014, and Tommy John surgery in 2015, Cobb’s main goal is to stay healthy. After all, last season was the fourth straight that he missed six weeks or more due to injury.
Returning from his May 2015 elbow surgery in September 2016, Cobb struggled in five starts. But so far this season, things are looking up.
Looking For His Best Season Yet
Cobb is 4-3, posting a 3.67 ERA in nine starts. In three of those nine start, he has gone past 7.0 innings, a feat that other starters, including Blake Snell, have had difficulty achieveing.
Coming off a May 17th win, where Cobb allowed only three runs on six hits in seven innings, manager Kevin Cash is very happy with his young right-hander.
Cash on today’s starter Alex Cobb #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/LPBGlBlG3I
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) May 23, 2017
For his 10th start of the season, Cobb takes on some big bats against the Angels Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Cobb is 1-1 in his career against Los Angeles, but has not faced them in almost five years. Cobb looks to stay hot, going 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA over his last five starts.
Tonight Will Be A Pitching Duel
Tonight, Cobb faces Matt Shoemaker, who is 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA in three career starts against the Rays. This season, Shoemaker is 3-2 with a 4.47 ERA, and like Cobb, coming off a win in his last start.
Meanwhile, the Rays are hoping to bounce back from last nights 3-2 loss and come back to .500. After gaining a spot in the division, the Monday loss dropped them back to fourth in the competitive American League East. Similar to Tampa Bay, the Angels are sitting in third place in the West, and a loss for them would put them back to .500 as well.
Tonight’s starting lineup for #Rays vs #Angels first pitch at 7:10. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/EdSbYjv42F
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) May 23, 2017
