Chris Archer Bagged His First Win Since 2019 | That’s A Great Sign For Tampa Bay

Chris Archer Bagged His First Win Since 2019 | That’s A Great Sign For Tampa Bay

by | Sep 8, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Chris Archer could not help but feel good after the game on September 4th against the Minnesota Twins.

Archer picked up his first win of the season and his first win since June of 2019.

Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Chris Archer Is On The Comeback Trail Again

 

This is a sign the Rays definitely wanted to see from their veteran pitcher. On the season, he has a 1-1 record with a 5.28 ERA through five games. The past two seasons have been a rollercoaster ride for the two-time All-Star and it was a good sign to see him secure his first win this year.

He may not have had his best performance on Saturday, but he still went out there and gave a professional effort. 

 

Archer received a lot of run support that day from his teammates as the Rays went on to defeat the Twins 11-4. The 32-year-old went five innings giving up four runs on four hits. He did surrender two home runs but we’ll chalk that up to rust. He also struck out three and he threw a total of 78 pitches. 

This was Archer’s fifth start of the season and the 78 pitches and five innings were season highs for the veteran.

“I want to provide length,” Archer told the Tampa Bay Times. “I think that’s one thing I can give this team, and quality length. My breaking ball wasn’t quite as good there towards the end. But throwing 78 pitches, completing five, it was huge going forward. We still have a lot of baseball left. And if I can provide length, it’s going to bode well for everybody.”

 

If Archer can provide length on the mound for the Rays going forward, that will be a huge plus for the team. The velocity is still there as he touched 95 a few times against the Twins.

Injuries haven’t been the only setback Archer has dealt. The former All-Star has had some family issues which has caused him to miss a majority of the season, but if he can continue to work his way back  to a starter capable of going six or seven innings, the Rays would be that much more of a threat.

“It was great,” Archer said on his recent outing. “Obviously I walked more than I wanted to, but it just gave me confidence to go out there and push the pitch count to 78, which is the most pitches I’ve thrown in a long time. The team, we got a big win, and I took that next step in my pitch count/innings limitations also.”

 

This is the right time for Archer to build his confidence, especially going into the postseason. He will get the opportunity to make a few more starts before then. Rays brass will be watching his final few starts before the playoffs to see if he figures in their plans. 

Archer will certainly be up for the challenge . Our MLBbro bro is slowly but surely getting back to his groove and if he can stay in his zone he’ll be a key piece for the Rays. 

Remembering Black Ace J.R. Richard | The Flamethrowing MLBbro Was A Superstar, Survivor & Mentor

Remembering Black Ace J.R. Richard | The Flamethrowing MLBbro Was A Superstar, Survivor & Mentor

by | Aug 6, 2021 | 6TH SLOT

Former Houston Astros all star pitcher J.R. Richard passed away at 71 years old.  He was was one of the great righty power pitchers of his era.

During a stretch between 1978 – 1980 there’s an argument to be made that he was the most dominant pitcher in Major League Baseball.

He led the league in strike outs in 1978 and 1979 and earned the start for the National League in the 1980 Major League Baseball All Start Game.

 

 

Richard spent his entire 10 year career with Houston finishing with a 107-71 record with a 3.15 career ERA and 1,473 strikeouts, before a stroke took him out.

He was one of the first pitchers who routinely clocked 100 mph with his heater, thus making his wicked slider even more devastating

However, fate would deal Richard a crippling blow.

Richard had been complaining about issues with the left side of his neck, but the Astros organization was reluctant to give him adequate medical attention.  It has been chronicled that the organization didn’t believe his health issues were that severe so he tried to work through them.

During a workout in the Astrodome, Richard collapsed from a stroke and he would never pitch in the league again.  Many who questioned the validity of his injury ultimately were forced to recant their positions throughout local media and it remains a sore subject among some Astros fans of that generation.

Richardson once described the medical mishap to MLBbro Managing Editor JR Gamble as “straight racism” and he remained bitter towards the organization for many years before reconciling.

Despite being a member of the Astros Hall of Fame, the organization has never retired Richard’s #50 jersey which sticks in the craw of many Generation X and Baby Boomer fans fans who remember watching his exploits live when he was at the peak of his career.

FRONT STREET

FRONT STREET

by | Jul 30, 2021 | FRONT STREET

Dodgers top pitching prospect Josiah Gray was traded to the Washington Nationals as part of a blockbuster deal for Max Scherzer and All-Star SS Trea Turner.

Gray will join fellow Melanated Mound Marauder Joe Ross in the Nats rotation.