Last offseason, Nick Martinez was seeking an opportunity with a team that would allow him be a starting pitcher. Now, he is starting the first game of the World Series for the Tampa Bay Rays as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tampa Bay signed Martinez just prior to Spring Training, Martinez was excited by the prospect of getting the chance to showcase himself as a full-time starting pitcher, “I’ve always believed that I can be a starter from beginning to end.”
Over the course of the regular season, the now 36-year old Martinez more than proved himself as he delivered an All-Star season for Tampa Bay. Over the course of 31 starts, Martinez compiled a 3.10 ERA | 3.96 FIP with a 15.1 K% and league leading 3.6 BB% over a career high 180 innings pitched. Thus far in the postseason, Martinez has only appeared in two games, allowing three runs on seven hits over 9 IP.
First pitch is slated a little after 8:00pm Friday night