Rays Reveal Full World Series Rotation: Martinez Game 1, Rasmussen Game 2, Peralta Game 3

The Tampa Bay Rays have set their World Series pitching plan. Manager Kevin Cash confirmed Thursday that right-hander Nick Martinez will take the ball for Friday night's Game 1 opener against Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski at American Family Field, with Drew Rasmussen lined up for Game 2 and ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta for Game 3 back at Tropicana Field. The decision to skip Rasmussen for the opener was deliberate. Though the ace was available on regular rest after Sunday's Game 5 gem against Cleveland, Cash chose to give him an extra day. "We prioritized Drew getting an extra day," Cash said Thursday. "He's had a pretty thick workload here. 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." Rasmussen has thrown 21 innings with a 1.29 ERA this postseason, and Tampa Bay has won all three of his starts. Martinez, 36, is coming off an All-Star season in his first year with the Rays and was effective in ALCS Game 4, holding the Guardians to one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. "When Nick pitches, we win," Cash said. He will face Brewers rookie Logan Henderson in Game 2, while Peralta — who dominated Game 6 to earn ALCS MVP honors — gets Game 3 at home.