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Nick Martinez should be well rested when he next takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays. Following Tuesday’s 3-1 win versus the Cleveland Guardians, longtime manager Kevin Cash announced that Griffin Jax will start Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, per Marc Topkin of Tampa Bay Times. Martinez, who recorded a 3.10 ERA in 180 innings pitched this season, will have to wait until Friday to get his shot at the Guards.
Curiously, Cash is trusting a different right-hander instead. Jax was not the workhorse that his teammate was during the year, recording a 3.53 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings of work. Both hurlers pitched abbreviated outings against the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series, so one would have expected the Rays to just keep the same pecking order.
This move adds more uncertainty surrounding Martinez’s status. The first-time All-Star exited last Wednesday’s ALDS-clinching victory versus the Yankees after getting hit in the back with a line drive, but his exit did not initially appear to be due to an injury (Ian Seymour was already warming up in the bullpen). Fast forward a week, and there is still no indication that the 36-year-old is hurt.
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Perhaps Kevin Cash merely prefers to go with someone who generates more swing-and-miss. Nick Martinez posted a low 15.1 strikeout rate this season, more than 10 points less than what Griffin Jax produced. The latter totaled four Ks in Game 3 of the ALDS.
Cleveland is dangerous when it puts the bat on the ball, which was something the lineup struggled to do in Game 2. The Guardians struck out nine times, with six of those coming against “Fastball” Freddy Peralta.
Whatever the reason may be, the Rays will trust Jax to keep pace with Gavin Williams on Thursday. Martinez will stay ready for what should be a pivotal Game 4 of this ALCS.
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