Fansided

MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team

By Brad Berreman

September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport
September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport /
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Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco Giants: SP Matt Moore

In a bit of a statistical anomaly, Moore posted an identical 4.08 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays (21 starts) and the Giants (12 starts) last season. But after Tommy John surgery limited him to 14 starts over the 2014 and 2015 seasons set career-highs with 33 starts and 198.1 innings in 2016.

Moore did up his K/9 rate during his time with the Giants last year, to 9.1 after posting a 7.5 K/9 with Tampa Bay before being traded. That did come with more walks (4.2 BB/9 rate with San Francisco), but Moore also allowed two runs or less in six of his final eight starts.

Consistency was a thing for Moore in 2016, as he allowed at least five earned runs in seven of his starts, but that could be expected in a first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The Giants are well-situated at the top of their starting rotation, with Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija locking down the first three spots. But Moore can provide a distinct advantage  over other No. 4 starters, and if he puts it together the Giants can be a World Series contender in an even-numbered year.

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