If the Tampa Bay Rays are going to advance to the World Series, it is only fitting that Charlie Morton will get the start.
After all, it had been the Houston Astros who unlocked Morton’s potential, turning a middling starting pitcher into an All Star. Morton embraced the Astros’ focus on spin rate, turning into a dominant force on the mound. In his two years in Houston, he posted a 29-10 record with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.176 WHiP, striking out 364 batters with 114 walks over his 313.2 innings.
The Rays took a bit of a gamble that Morton would be able to continue that success outside of Houston.