Rays 3, Guardians 1: He put the Fastball in Fastball Freddy

Monday night was not fun. But there was no time to sulk for the Rays, as they were right back at it tonight for Game 2 of the ALCS. You lose, and you face the prospect of not getting back to the Trop, You win, and it’s a brand new series in Cleveland on Thursday.

Freddy Peralta was on the bump for the Rays. Chandler Simpson returned to the starting lineup despite a lefty on the mound, with Ryan Vilade going back to the bench. Hicks also slotted back in behind the plate, but hitting eighth. More on him later.

Plant City native Parker Messick, expected to be an AL Rookie of the Year finalist, got the start for the Guardians.

The Rays traded for Peralta to not just pitch in these games, but put them in position to win them. He lived up to his “Fastball Freddy” moniker, throwing his 4-seamer 72% of the time. He got 10 whiffs on the pitch, and 5 more from his breaking ball and offspeed. He kept the heater up and oftentimes in, keeping the Cleveland lineup uncomfortable.

It looked to be another tight game that would be decided by the bullpens late. Messick looked sharp and kept the Rays off balance, but a horrible error from Jose Ramirez in the fourth unraveled the rookie’s first ALCS start. With runners on second and third and two outs, Ben Williamson hit a routine ground ball to the future Hall of Famer, but it went through his legs and into left field to give the Rays the lead.

Liam Hicks, the very next batter singled to center, driving home two more.

Tough end to the night for the local kid Messick, and I’d be nervous to see him again later in the series. Four years ago I watched him face off against DeLauter in a college game. It was opening night between Florida State and James Madison at Dick Howser Stadium, and it was clear then that they’d both be serious big league prospects. I just wish I had known that one day they would be two impact players standing in between the Rays and an American League pennant.

Cleveland’s only run came in the seventh, when Chase DeLauter doubled off of Ian Seymour to make it 3-1. But Seymour got the next batter, Jo Adell, to strike out and strand two runners in scoring position.

Baker came in for the ninth, and picked up his fourth save of the postseason, a new franchise record. The man is addicted to shutting the door.

Now, the series heads to Cleveland for the next three games, which are all guaranteed to be played after a Rays win tonight. Game 3 is Thursday at 8:00, and while no starter has been announced, Nick Martinez has yet to be used in this series and started Game 3 of the ALDS.

On the attendance:

I’m not here to point fingers, but a stadium at 80% capacity for the biggest game of the season is disappointing. I don’t have the answers, but every remaining home game will either be an elimination game or a World Series game. Any below 40,000 would be disheartening.