Here we go. After yesterday’s travel day the two teams in this year’s World Series have arrived in Tampa Bay to continue their series. The Brewers took both of their home games back in Milwaukee and now find themselves in control of the series and just two wins away from their first championship. The Rays, who are also fighting to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time, are back at home and have their backs up against the wall. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the World Series so the Rays are going
to come out desperate to take an early lead.
Rays at Brewers (5:00 PST)
Tampa Bay has the big trade deadline acquisition Freddy Peralta (5-2, 3.25 ERA*) taking the ball tonight. The right-hander has looked like a different pitcher since joining the Rays and he’s kept that up in the postseason. In four games (three starts) he’s allowed just two earned runs, rewarding the Rays for their mid-season acquisition. Tonight will be the biggest start of his life. Can he continue pitching like an ace for a Tampa Bay squad that can not afford to lose tonight? A lot will depend on if he’s able to hold down the Milwaukee offense.
Numbers with the Rays, excluding his first half with the Mets*
Here’s how the Rays stack up for this must-win Game 3:
While the Rays have a veteran of the sport taking the ball tonight, Milwaukee meanwhile has a rookie scheduled for the start tonight. Left-hander Robert Gasser (5-5, 3.87 ERA) will be making his third postseason start this evening. The rookie has a chance to put his squad just one more win away from winning it all and he’s been pitching well in October, including last year. In two starts this postseason he’s allowed just one earned run. Manager Pat Murphy may pull him earlier than the regular season though if Milwaukee has a lead in the middle of the game. If Gasser can keep Tampa Bay off the board for a few innings and get the ball to the bullpen they’ll be in excellent position to go up 3-0 in this year’s Fall Classic.
And here is the Brew Crew’s starting lineup:
Does the series more or less end tonight with a Brewers’ win? Or can the Rays get back into the World Series with a win? Who do you got? Should be exciting either way!
