It’s Game 1 of the final series of the season, the World Series. At the end of it, possibly on Halloween Night, one of these teams will hoist the World Series Championship Trophy for the first time in Franchise history. This is the first time since 1980 that that could be said at the start of the World Series. Pretty cool stuff.
The Brewers have decided to make the obvious choice and start NL Cy Young Award presumptive Jacob Misiorowski in the opener. The Rays have decided to buck tradition and go with their third- or fourth-best starter in Nick Martinez. Now Martinez was spectacular in his start against the Guardians last week, but he’s clearly not the best pitcher on the team. Is this a clever ploy by the Rays to try and sneak an advantage by having their best two pitchers – Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta – get to start against pitchers other than The Mis? If so, it’s a bold strategy, Cotton. We’ll see if it pays off.
I just really, really hope it’s not some kind of indication that Rasmussen is hurt.