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After starting the season off 8-0, Tampa Bay Rays SP Matt Moore was on top of the world. He had a 2.29 ERA and was on pace to finish the season 35-0. He was quickly being talked about as a fantasy baseball ace.
Moore’s last two outings, however, have been absolutely miserable. He lasted just five innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. He was rocked for eight earned runs on nine hits and one walk. It was his second straight loss and was further evidence that the 23-year-old has hit a rough patch.
Moore has now allowed 14 earned runs in his last two outings alone. He surrendered just 13 earned runs in the previous eight appearances, so it has certainly been a big difference from what fantasy owners have come to expect from the young lefty.
Additionally, the more times the southpaw takes the mound, the more scouting film opposing managers have on him. Major league hitters are starting to make a book on this kid, which will only make it tougher for Moore to continue to dominate the way he has. Baltimore just crushed Moore in his past start, but the O’s saw the lefty on April 7th. They learned his tendencies and made the youngster suffer this time around. It is just part of the game.
Moore is worth hanging onto in all formats, because he has clearly established himself as a legitimate fantasy ace. However, his recent struggles just show that any pitcher can get beat up on any given afternoon, even the premier pitchers in fantasy.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
