The Tampa Bay Rays made a bold decision before Game 1 of the 2026 MLB World Series, choosing veteran Nick Martinez over ace Drew Rasmussen to open the Fall Classic against the Milwaukee Brewers. Just one inning into the matchup, that decision is already looking questionable.
Martinez surrendered two runs in the first inning, immediately putting Tampa Bay in an early hole against a Brewers lineup that had been sitting around for more than a week. Milwaukee had not played since completing its NLCS sweep of the Dodgers, creating at least some hope that the extended layoff could leave the Brewers’ bats rusty. Instead, Milwaukee came out swinging.
Now the Rays are trailing early while facing one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball.
MORE:2026 World Series will be just second of its kind in past 100 years
The Rays got too cute with Rasmussen
There was a legitimate baseball argument for starting Martinez. Tampa Bay wanted to give Rasmussen extra rest, and the move lined him up to start Game 2 on five days’ rest. Rasmussen has also been outstanding throughout the postseason, posting a 1.29 ERA with 23 strikeouts and just three walks across 21 innings.
But this is the World Series.
Rasmussen was available on regular rest, and Tampa Bay had its ace ready to take the mound in the biggest game of the season. Instead, the Rays chose to optimize the rotation for the entire series rather than simply giving themselves the best possible chance to win Game 1.
That is a risky strategy when the opposing team is starting Jacob Misiorowski.
Now Tampa Bay has a mountain to climb
Misiorowski entered Game 1 as the overwhelming favorite for the 2026 National League Cy Young Award after going 16-5 with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP during the regular season.
That makes the Rays’ early deficit even more damaging.
The entire premise behind giving Martinez the ball was that Tampa Bay could trust him to keep the game close while saving Rasmussen for later. Martinez had a strong season himself, going 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA over 180 innings, and the Rays went 24-9 in his starts.
But there is a difference between trusting a veteran starter and handing him the ball against a rested Brewers lineup with Misiorowski waiting on the other side.
The Rays may ultimately benefit from having Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta positioned for Games 2 and 3. That was clearly part of the calculation behind Kevin Cash’s decision.
Still, Tampa Bay had its ace available for Game 1 of the World Series and chose not to use him.
After one inning, the decision already looks like a case of overthinking the moment.
When you have an ace like Drew Rasmussen, start him. Don’t get cute. This is the World Series.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —