Rays manager Kevin Cash refuses to change stolen base strategy against William Contreras in World Series appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Rays ran into a problem in Game 1 of the World Series, but Kevin Cash is not about to pump the brakes.
William Contreras threw out two Rays base stealers in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 3-2 win on Friday night at American Family Field. Despite the costly outs, the Rays manager made it clear that his team will keep running.
“Look, we know how talented a player he is, but that’s not going to change our aggressive approach on the bases,” Cash said.
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That approach has defined Tampa Bay all year. The Rays led the American League with 164 stolen bases during the regular season and were a perfect 11-for-11 on steal attempts this postseason before the World Series began.
Contreras, however, presented a different kind of challenge. The Brewers catcher ranked second in the majors with 25 runners caught stealing in the regular season, and his 34.2% caught-stealing rate was the best among catchers with at least 50 opportunities.
He showed why on Friday. In the fifth inning, pinch-runner Victor Mesa Jr. broke for third base with Yandy Diaz at the plate, and Contreras gunned him down to end the threat. An inning later, Cash sent Jonathan Aranda on a full-count pitch. Abner Uribe struck out Chandler Simpson on a slider, and Contreras threw out Aranda at second for an inning-ending double play.
Both outs loomed large in a one-run game. Tampa Bay’s lineup managed just two runs, and the Rays left several chances on the table before mounting a late rally.
To Cash’s credit, the running game did help in the ninth. With Trevor Megill on the mound and the Rays down 3-1, Aranda and Simpson pulled off a double steal to put the tying run in scoring position. Tampa Bay eventually loaded the bases and scored on a grounder after a game-ending double play was overturned on replay, but Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca to end it.
Contreras also did damage at the plate. His first-inning single off Nick Martinez scored Christian Yelich and gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.
The Rays will look to even the series in Game 2 on Saturday night in Milwaukee, with Drew Rasmussen expected to take the mound. If Cash’s comments are any indication, Contreras should expect plenty more action behind the plate.
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