MLB Playoffs 2011: Rays Will Regret Leaning on Unproven Talent

If momentum means anything in the MLB postseason, and I think we know that it does, the Tampa Bay Rays will be in good shape.

Their torrid run to win the American League Wild Card climaxed this past Wednesday when the Red Sox gave up their playoff spot and the Rays won theirs within minutes of each other.

The Rays most certainly have the momentum and talent to make a deep run into the postseason, but they will ultimately be undone due to the fact that they are leaning so hard on unproven talent.

Maybe I'm alone on this point, but starting a guy in Game 1 of the ALDS with only one major league start under his belt does not seem like a good idea. I realize that their run to just get into the postseason wore their rotation thin, but there has to be someone with more experience whom they trust.

In a five-game series, winning the first one is so crucial. It sounds like a trite cliche, but it's true. Starting such an inexperienced pitcher isn't the way to get off to the type of start they need. Moore is a stud prospect, but I think throwing him into this situation is asking too much.

Moore isn't the only player from whom the Rays are asking a lot.

Desmond Jennings, their starting left fielder, doesn't have a full season of baseball to his name yet, and both Matt Joyce and Sean Rodriguez haven't held down major roles on a stage this big before.

It also gives me a little pause that they are depending on the highly-flammable Kyle Farnsworth to close games. He performed the closer's job better this season than most expected, but it feels like it's only a matter of time before he implodes again.

For a contrast in rosters, they need only look in the opposing dugout. Most of this Texas Rangers team was in the World Series just last year, and they have veterans all over their roster.

The Rays are a fun team to watch and their "rags to riches" story that started a few seasons ago makes them easy to like, but they just don't have enough seasoned talent to make a deep run this postseason.