The Tampa Bay Rays are shaking up the World Series right out of the gate, opting to start Nick Martinez in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers instead of their ace, Drew Rasmussen. This isn’t just a minor lineup tweak, it feels like a high-stakes gamble from manager Kevin Cash, a move that could feel like a mistake if you only look at the names on the roster. But don’t sleep on the long game here: the Rays are clearly trying to protect their best arm and keep their rotation fresh for the grind ahead.
Rasmussen’s Workload Demands a Break
This decision comes down to the heavy lifting Rasmussen has already put in this October. ESPN reports that the Rays want to give their right-hander an extra day of rest, and for good reason. Rasmussen just pitched in the American League Championship Series Game 5 against the Cleveland Guardians. He has been an absolute workhorse, too, going at least six innings in every playoff start he has made this year and giving up just three runs across 21 total innings. Cash himself explained the strategic shift, noting Rasmussen has had a “pretty thick workload here” and that the team has relied on him heavily. They want to ensure they get his “full-pitch allotment” when he does take the mound. Look, it’s a tough call to make for the biggest game of the year, but you simply cannot burn out your best player before the series even truly begins.
Nick Martinez: Not Your Typical Underdog
So, who is the guy stepping in for the ace? Nick Martinez is not some rookie getting his shot. This dude is 36 years old and having a massive year after signing a one-year, $13 million deal with the Rays. After turning things around from a rough Grapefruit League, he absolutely crushed it in his first full season as a starter. Martinez finished the regular season with a stellar 3.10 ERA, threw a career-high 180 innings, and even earned his first All-Star selection. He’s coming off a strong performance in the ALCS, holding the Guardians to just two hits and one run over 5⅓ innings in Game 4. Now, he faces the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski on five days of rest, and Martinez knows what is coming. “They’re a team that doesn’t take any pitches off,” he said. “They’re always fighting every pitch. They never give up. It’s going to be a dogfight.” Sounds like he’s ready for it.
A World Series Battle of Grit, Not Checks
This World Series is a truly rare matchup: two teams that consistently win without busting the bank. The Brewers racked up 103 wins this season but ranked 19th in payroll. The Rays are even leaner, sitting at 28th in payroll. Both franchises are fighting for their first-ever World Series title, with the Brewers, in their 57th season in Milwaukee, looking to end a seriously long drought. Don’t let the payroll numbers fool you, though, the talent on the field is still elite. The Brewers boast a young, hard-throwing bullpen and a potential Cy Young winner in Misiorzekowski. The Rays counter with strong arms like closer Bryan Baker and power hitters like Junior Caminero. When this series kicks off on Friday, Oct. 23, it is going to be a battle of efficiency and grit, not just big names and big checks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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