The Tampa Bay Rays are already drawing attention for how they might line up their rotation in the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, and the wrinkle is this: Ken Rosenthal says they may hand Game 1 to Nick Martinez and push Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta back.
That setup comes with some clear logic behind it. Martinez was an All-Star this season, and Rasmussen has generally pitched better when he’s had extra rest. Still, the move also raises the question of whether the Rays are getting too cute with the biggest series of the year.
Tampa Bay and Milwaukee arrive here as the two best regular-season teams in their leagues, which is why this matchup has the feel of a true title fight. The two clubs haven’t seen each other since the second series of the regular season in late March, so there’s at least some mystery baked into the opening games. And with the money-driven lockout hanging over the backdrop, both sides should be willing to empty the toolbox.
The Brewers, though, have already shown they can make even elite pitching plans look messy. The Dodgers learned that lesson the hard way in the NLCS, when their quartet of aces each got one shot at Milwaukee and all four came up empty, leading to a four-game sweep.
If the Rays were swept, the whole debate over when Martinez or Rasmussen pitches would be moot. Martinez would only take the ball once as a starter either way.
But Tampa Bay has plenty going for it. The Rays were the American League’s No. 1 seed all season, lost just two games on the way to the Fall Classic, and tied the Brewers for the best home record in baseball at 55-26. They’ve also gone 3-1 on the road this October.
That’s why the rotation plan starts to make more sense if this series turns into a longer fight. A six- or seven-game series would let Tampa Bay get both Rasmussen and Peralta on regular rest for Games 6 and 7, while assuming Jacob Misiorowski sticks to his usual rhythm of taking Games 1 and 5. In that scenario, Peralta starting Game 7 at American Family Field would be one of the wildest postseason setups imaginable.
For now, it all comes down to whether the Rays’ gamble pays off or backfires. If they do go this route, the pressure shifts quickly onto Milwaukee and Miz to grab the early lead in the World Series.
In Other News...
Brewers Are Betting Big On Jacob Misiorowski Fix In Game 1
Jacob Misiorowskis postseason has come with as much adjustment as adrenaline, and the Brewers used the off time before World Series Game 1 to address it. Pitching coach Chris Hook and coordinator Jim Henderson spent Misiorowskis 11-day reset working through the delivery issues that had started to chip away at the impact of his fastball, a pitch Milwaukee needs to be right if it wants him to look like the force it believes he can be.
Now the 23-year-old is lined up to take the ball in Game 1, which gives the Brewers a chance to start the series with one of their most electric arms on the mound. It also adds another layer to an already unusual postseason for Misiorowski, who is set to become the youngest pitcher to start three Game 1s in the same run, with Milwaukee clearly betting that the fixes will show up when the spotlight is brightest. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Woodruffs Brewers Return Suddenly Comes With One Big Catch
Brandon Woodruffs path back from an anterior shoulder capsule injury has started to look real again, with the right-hander back to throwing bullpens and recently getting through his first live outing. For a Brewers club that has spent the season waiting on his return, the progress is meaningful enough to keep his name in the conversation as the postseason picture sharpens, even as the final decisions around the roster draw closer.
Matt Arnold sounded encouraged by what he has seen from Woodruff, but there is still a complication hanging over the Brewers World Series roster plans. League rules can affect whether an injured player can be swapped in if the injury is viewed as recurring or pre-existing, and with Milwaukee expected to announce its 26-man roster soon, Woodruffs status remains one of the more intriguing questions left to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers World Series Menu Is Pure Wisconsin And Fans Will Love It
American Family Field is rolling out a championship menu that leans hard into Wisconsin comfort and ballpark indulgence, with new items like the Walk-Off Burger, Prime Rib, Beef Wellington and Brat Rangoons set to greet fans for the World Series. The spread was built to give the ballpark a distinctly local feel while offering plenty of choices for a big October crowd.
The details make the menu even more intriguing because the planning started long before the Brewers had any idea theyd be hosting this stage. There is also a special Klsch on tap at the stadium, adding another local touch to a setup that feels tailor-made for a postseason run, even if the full story of how it all came together is still waiting to be told. [Read more 🡒]