October 10, 2008 What was expected is now official: the Tampa Bay Rays have put hurler Edwin Jackson on their ALCS roster and left outfielder Eric Hinske off, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View:This leaves the Rays with 11 pitchers on their roster. Jackson had a decent year, but will likely only be used as a long man out of the bullpen.
October 9, 2008 The St. Petersburg Times indicates the Rays' have named pitcher Edwin Jackson to the ALCS roster, leaving out Eric Hinske. Hinske said, "They want to carry an extra pitcher and I'm the odd man out. That's how it is. It's something that I can't control. I'll be ready if somebody gets hurt. It's not about me, it's about the team winning ballgames. No reaction."
Our View:Jackson would likely serve as a fifth starter against Boston. He won 14 games in the regular season, with a 4.42 ERA and 1.51 WHIP.
September 30, 2008 Edwin Jackson told Rays writer Marc Lancaster that he has been left off the post-season roster, according to The Tampa Tribune.
Our View:This news hasn't been officially announced yet, but given that the team doesn't need a fifth starter and that Jackson had a 7.90 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP over his last six appearances, the news certainly isn't a shock.
September 19, 2008 Edwin Jackson continued his inconsistent month on Friday but this time for the positive. He threw 7.2 innings of one-run ball while scattering seven hits and a walk against the Twins. His record improved to 12-11.
Our View:He had lost his last three starts before Friday, the worst one coming September 14th against the Yankees when he gave up six runs in just two innings. Jackson is just 25 and with more discipline he could be a 15-20 game winner with the Rays.
September 14, 2008 Edwin Jackson was at his absolute worst on Sunday as he was pounded for six hits and six runs by the Yankees while recording just six outs in his 11th loses of the year.
Our View:This is the second time in three starts that Edwin has failed to record 11 outs while allowing six runs. In three September starts he is sporting some hideous ratios: 10.95 ERA, 2.27 WHIP. He remains too inconsistent to count on.
