The Tampa Bay Rays will open the playoffs with their most experienced arm on the mound.
Veteran right-hander Charlie Morton will be the Rays' starter against the Oakland Athletics in Wednesday's American League wild-card game.
Manager Kevin Cash initially made the announcement during an interview with MLB Network Radio's "Power Alley" on Friday, several hours before they officially clinched a playoff spot. He then confirmed it before Saturday's game in Toronto, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
"That's kind of how we planned it," Cash said Friday when asked if Morton would start the game. "(Charlie's) so deserving of it. Look, it doesn't matter who we're playing or how it shakes out - Game 163, wild-card game, whatever it is - I think when it's time to win a game you're gonna want Charlie on the mound for you."
Morton joined the Rays as a free agent in the offseason and the investment paid off in a big way. The 35-year-old was a rock in their rotation, posting a 3.05 ERA, 2.82 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, and 240 strikeouts over an AL-leading 33 starts. Morton also bucked the trend of 2019 and successfully limited the long ball, allowing just 15 homers at an AL-best rate of 0.7 per nine innings.
He enters the playoffs on an absolute roll, sporting a 2.73 ERA in 29 2/3 innings this month. The Rays won all five of his starts in September.
Morton is no stranger to October, having starred on the mound for the Houston Astros during their run to the 2017 World Series title. He's the only Rays starter with at least one career postseason appearance.
The Athletics were unable to solve Morton this year. In two June outings against them, he allowed just one run on six total hits with 13 strikeouts.
Oakland has yet to name its starter for Wednesday's wild-card game. Home-field advantage also remains up in the air as the A's and Rays enter Saturday with identical records.
