The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers will play Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, and it will be Jacob Misiorowski facing off against Nick Martinez.
The Rays are opting to start Nick Martinez, giving Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta an extra day of rest. Rasmussen will be on five days of rest if he starts Game 2, and Peralta will be on six days of rest after making two starts and a relief outing in the American League Division Series.
Martinez has faced the Brewers once this season and gave up four hits, including one double and one home run. Of the Rays' top three starters, the Brewers' group of position players expected to be on the World Series roster have the most success against Martinez.
The Brewers' 13 position players have combined to go 30-for-122 with a .737 OPS against Martinez in his career. They also have six home runs and four walks.
Martinez had a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts this year after a down year with the Cincinnati Reds last year. He has made two postseason starts, posting a 3.00 ERA. Against the New York Yankees, he did not make it through four innings.
The Rays will be looking for him to be sharp against Misiorowski, but this move allows them to get Rasmussen and Peralta at their best. If Rasmussen pitches in Game 2, he will be lined up on five days of rest for Game 6. Assuming Peralta gets the ball in Game 3, he would be on four days of rest for what would be an all-hands-on-deck Game 7.
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