Last night, the Milwaukee Brewers began their first World Series appearance in 44 years with a highly-dramatic 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series.
Trailing by two runs entering the top of the ninth inning, the Rays pulled within a run against Brewers closer Trevor Megill after Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt failed to keep his foot on second base on what would have been a game-ending double play. Megill rebounded to strike out the next hitter with the tying
run 90 feet away.
These two small-market powerhouses will meet again tonight in Game 2 of the Fall Classic. The Brewers will look to take a 2-0 series lead, while the Rays aim to even the series before heading home.
Rays at Brewers (5:00 PST)
After their late-game rally fell just short yesterday, the Rays will turn to their ace to start Game 2. 31-year-old right-hander Drew Rasmussen (16-5, 2.67 ERA) will face the team that drafted him and gave him his major league debut.
Rasmussen spent 2020 and the beginning of 2021 with Milwaukee before being traded to Tampa Bay in exchange for shortstop Willy Adames. Facing his former team, Rasmussen could have extra motivation this evening. The right-hander enters his fourth start of the postseason with a 2-0 record, a 1.29 ERA, a 0.76 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 21 innings. He will look to deliver another quality start in a game where runs could be at a premium.
Here’s how the Rays are lining up for this one:
Right-hander Logan Henderson (11-3, 2.47 ERA) will start for the Brew Crew. The 24-year-old’s excellent first full major league season largely flew under the radar due to fellow starter Jacob Misiorowski’s stellar campaign.
Pitching in his first postseason, Henderson has handled the bright lights and national spotlight well. However, in his lone NLCS start, he struggled to make accurate throws to first base, giving the Rays an incentive to lay down some bunts to test his fielding ability. The Brewers have won every game he’s started at American Family Field. Will that streak continue tonight, or will he falter in the biggest start of his young career?
And the Brewers’ starting nine:
One of these teams is going to be a game closer to their first championship. Who takes Game 2 of the World Series tonight?
