TAMPA BAY RAYS NAME NICK MARTINEZ FOR WORLD SERIES OPENER

The Tampa Bay Rays have named Nick Martinez to start Friday’s World Series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Tampa Bay reached the series after winning the American League pennant. The Rays beat the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians in the postseason. Martinez made two postseason appearances before the World Series, including a Game 4 start against Cleveland. He pitched five and one-third innings and allowed one run in that game.

Drew Rasmussen last pitched for Tampa Bay on Sunday, in Game 5 against Cleveland. A Friday start would have left him one day short of his usual rest interval. Freddie Peralta, another pitching option for the opener, would also have started on short rest. Milwaukee traded Peralta before his contract expired, and he later played for the New York Mets. In one appearance for the Mets in Milwaukee, Peralta allowed seven runs over five and one-third innings.

Recorded regular-season figures credit Martinez with 15 wins, six losses and a 3.16 earned run average. The Rays finished the regular season with the American League’s best record after the Yankees challenged them for that position. Peralta struggled in his first weeks with Tampa Bay, including two poor starts. He then allowed two runs or fewer in nearly every outing across a stretch of roughly 10 starts. During that period, the Rays increased his use of a changeup.