Matt Moore to Start Game 1 of the ALDS for the Rays Against C.J. Wilson

The Tampa Bay Rays gave it all they had to get into the playoffs, starting their three aces, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and David Price in the final three games against the Yankees.  Now, in a style that epitomizes the Rays, they're sending Matt Moore, their possible fourth ace, to the mound in only his second major league start.

Moore's minor league numbers were gaudy this year, as he struck out 210 batters, while only walking 46, in 155 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.

Moore continued to display his dominance in his first Major League start against the Yankees last week, striking out 11 hitters in five innings to earn his first Major League victory.

Now, Moore takes the mound in the first game of the ALDS for his second career start, symbolizing all that is right with the Rays. First, it was David Price in 2008. Price, the top pitching prospect in baseball has become one of the best pitchers in baseball, after capturing the Cy Young last season.

Then, last year the Rays brought up Jeremy Hellickson, again, the top pitching prospect in baseball, and Hellickson is likely to receive Cy Young votes this year and likely to win the Rookie of the Year award.

This year Matt Moore, also the top pitching prospect in baseball, is being called upon to duel C.J. Wilson, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season.

The success of the Rays farm system and organizational development is a story line that always seems to get beaten to death, but the continued and escalating success makes it hard not to talk about. This year we've seen Desmond Jennings seamlessly replace Carl Crawford and Jeremy Hellickson replace, if not exceed, Matt Garza.  

Tonight, Matt Moore will get a chance to shine.  And Moore isn't replacing anybody. Moore is an addition. He will have the chance to make the Rays a stronger team and a true World Series favorite. Because if the Rays can break C.J. Wilson tonight, they hold a strong pitching advantage over the Rangers in the rest of the series. And if Moore is capable of fulfilling his potential this postseason, there's two "Big Four" pitching staffs in the 2011 MLB Playoffs.