After dominating at Durham to start the year, the majors did not appear to be a problem for Jacob Faria. He became the first pitcher since Masahiro Tanaka to have a quality start in each of his first seven outings, cruising to a 4-0 record, along with a 2.00 ERA and a 0.978 WHiP in his first 45 innings. Faria was exactly what the Rays needed in their rotation.
Then came his outing on July 19. Facing the relatively punchless Athletics, Faria looked overmatched. He allowed four runs on six hits and four walks in his five innings, with his command having deserted him.