Rays Gain Rotation Flexibility and Bullpen Rest After Six-Game ALCS Win

The Rays gained valuable pitching flexibility by finishing the ALCS in six games. Their 7–3 victory over Cleveland on October 19 secured a 4–2 series win, avoided an all-hands Game 7 and created time to prepare the rotation and rest the bullpen before the World Series. Drew Rasmussen could start Game 1 on October 23 with four days’ rest after pitching in ALCS Game 5 on October 18. Tampa Bay has also favored giving him additional recovery time, however, and had not announced its rotation at the time of the report. ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta could similarly start Game 2 on four days’ rest after his October 19 outing. Another option would be to hold him for Game 3 at Tropicana Field, where the Rays have preferred to use him this postseason. That schedule could still allow him to make two starts in the series. The extra break also benefits closer Bryan Baker, who pitched in three consecutive games to finish the ALCS. Griffin Jax and Nick Martinez were spared possible Game 7 assignments, leaving them available for either early-series relief work or later starts. Milwaukee earned roughly a week to prepare by sweeping the NLCS. Tampa Bay now has an opportunity to organize its own staff for the matchup, with both franchises seeking their first championship. Game 1 begins in Milwaukee on October 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, or October