Rays Manager Opts for Martinez Over Ace Rasmussen in World Series Game 1

The Tampa Bay Rays will begin the World Series with Nick Martinez on the mound for Game 1, a decision manager Kevin Cash made to give ace Drew Rasmussen an additional day of rest. Rasmussen is expected to start Game 2 of the Fall Classic against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Cash explained that Rasmussen has shouldered a significant workload throughout the playoffs, prompting the decision to manage his usage. "We've relied on him heavily. We know when he takes the ball, we're trying to get the full-pitch allotment out of him," Cash stated, according to ESPN.

Martinez, who posted a 3.10 ERA over 180 regular-season innings, has demonstrated playoff readiness by allowing just one run in 5 1/3 innings in his most recent postseason appearance against the Guardians. "It's exciting," Martinez said of his Game 1 start. "I think as a team, as a staff, we're confident in whoever we call up to the mound. It fell on me, and my job is just to rack up as many outs as we can and keep us in this ballgame."

Martinez, 36, joined the Rays on a one-year, $13 million contract in the offseason and has experienced a career year as a full-time starting pitcher. He will face Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski, a leading contender for the National League Cy Young Award, who has recorded a major league-leading 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts this season.

Rasmussen has pitched a team-high 21 innings this postseason. In his last outing, Game 5 of the ALCS on Oct. 18, he allowed only one run over seven innings. This decision provides him with a full five days of rest before a potential Game 2 start. The move also affords pitcher Freddy Peralta, slated as the likely Game 3 starter for the Rays, an extra day of rest.