The Tampa Bay Rays are back in elimination mode, and Kevin Cash has pushed a few different buttons for Wednesday night’s World Series Game 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tampa Bay survived on Tuesday with a wild 4-3 win in 12 innings, but the challenge now gets even steeper. The Rays are trying to keep the series alive against Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski, and Cash’s lineup comes with a couple of notable changes, especially near the bottom.
Yandy Díaz is at DH, followed by Jonathan Aranda at first base, Junior Caminero at third, Liam Hicks behind the plate, Jonny DeLuca in center field, Chandler Simpson in left, Ben Williamson at second, Ryan Vilade in right and Taylor Walls at shortstop. Drew Rasmussen gets the start on the mound.
Cash’s choice to hand the ball to Rasmussen stands out the most. The right-hander was hit hard in Game 2, giving up three earned runs in only 3.2 innings despite Tampa Bay racing out to a four-run lead. After the bullpen absorbed a massive workload in Tuesday’s marathon, the Rays need a much cleaner outing from him.
Williamson, meanwhile, is getting another shot after delivering the walk-off RBI single in the 12th inning of Game 4 to stop Milwaukee from finishing the sweep. He’ll now slot in at second base and hit seventh.
It’s a move that speaks to Tampa Bay’s need for any kind of spark from the lower half of the order, even if Williamson isn’t known as a run producer. His ability to put the ball in play could matter against Misiorowski.
Cash also went with Vilade in right field, a decision that puts another right-handed bat into the lineup against a right-handed starter. Vilade hits eighth, while Victor Mesa Jr. and Richie Palacios are out of the starting nine.
That makes sense for a Rays offense that has had trouble producing consistently in the World Series. But the task remains a tough one. Misiorowski comes in at 16-5 with a 1.80 ERA, and Tampa Bay has already had a difficult time solving Milwaukee’s pitching in this series.
With the Rays trailing 3-1 in the World Series, these lineup choices could end up carrying real weight if Tampa Bay wants one more trip back to Milwaukee.
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