For the most part, the Rays have received stellar contributions from their starting rotation this season. As of May 15th, their starters rank 5th in ERA (3.65), 2nd in IP (357.2), 9th in K% (19.6%), and 7th in WHIP (1.26).
Alex Cobb, the Rays #3 starter, was an unknown commodity - going under the knife for Tommy John in 2015 and not returning to the mound until September 2016 - heading into 2017. However, in terms of results, Cobb has looked improved to his old self on the mound, without his signature pitch.
Through eight starts, he has been awfully impressive for a man without his greatest weapon, compiling a 3.