This is it, people (or could be)! Last night, three outs from a win, the Brewers blinked. Up 3-2 in the 12th inning after Tampa Bay’s Ian Seymour surrendered a solo swat to rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt, the Brewers could not close it out, as reliever Shane Drohan had a particularly worthless night, allowing two runs on a “singles party”—heh. I was pleased to see Cedric Mullins, pinch-running, score the tying run for Tampa Bay.
But that was last night, and the Brewers remain in possession of an enviable
3-1 lead in the World Series, and they have just the presumptive Cy Young frontrunner on the mound to close things out. Yes, a fully rested Jacob Misiorowski is ready for Game 5, making it not a crazy thought that they’ll clinch the series tonight without ever heading back to Milwaukee. Starting for the Rays tonight
But that was last night, and the Brewers remain in possession of an enviable 3-1 lead in the World Series, and they have just the presumptive Cy Young frontrunner on the mound to close things out. Yes, a fully rested Jacob Misiorowski is ready for Game 5, making it not a crazy thought that they’ll clinch the series tonight without ever heading back to Milwaukee.
Starting for the Rays tonight is Drew Rasmussen, on just three days of rest. The Rays have used all five of their regular starters within the past four nights: Rasmussen in Game 2 on Saturday, Freddy Peralta in Game 3 on Monday, and in Game 4 on Tuesday night Griffin Jax (as an opener), Martinez (for two innings in relief) and Ian Seymour (one inning in relief). That means the Rays don’t have a fully rested starter ready to handle Game 5, so Rasmussen will be doing what he never did this season. It’s go-time, of course. Said Rays manager Kevin Cash, “I’m going to guess most guys are going to say they’re capable of an inning or more, given it’s Game 5 of the World Series.”
It sure is! Should be exciting. Especially if you’re rooting for the Brewers. Keep in mind that no MLB team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a World Series. The Brewers haven’t been in the World Series since 1982, when they led 3-2 over the Cardinals before squandering the series in seven. They’ve waited 44 years to get back to the Fall Classic (tell us about it), and could finally be champions for the first time in the 58-year history of the franchise.
Brewers lineup
1. Jackson Chourio, LF
2. Jake Bauers, 1B
3. Christian Yelich, DH
4. William Contreras, C
5. Brice Turang, 2B
6. Sal Frelick, RF
7. Cooper Pratt, SS
8. Garrett Mitchell, CF
9. David Hamilton, 3B
Rays lineup
1. Yandy Díaz, DH
2. Jonathan Aranda, 1B
3. Junior Caminero, 3B
4. Liam Hicks, C
5. Jonny DeLuca, CF
6. Chandler Simpson, LF
7. Ben Williamson, 2B
8. Ryan Vilade, RF
9. Taylor Walls, SS
