Rays Name Nick Martinez World Series Game 1 Starter

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash named Nick Martinez the Rays’ starter for World Series Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers, holding Drew Rasmussen back to give him additional rest after a heavy postseason workload. The Rays are scheduled to open the best-of-seven series Friday. Cash said the team prioritized an extra day of rest for Rasmussen, who has thrown 21 innings across three postseason starts. He last pitched in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on October 18, working seven innings and allowing one run. Rasmussen could start Game 2, though Cash’s announcement confirmed Martinez for the opener rather than a final assignment for the next game. Cash said the Rays had relied heavily on Rasmussen and wanted to preserve his ability to handle a full workload when he takes the mound. Martinez, 36, posted a 3.10 ERA over 180 regular-season innings for Tampa Bay. He made two postseason starts before the World Series, allowing three earned runs over nine innings combined. Cash said he trusted Martinez to work through Milwaukee’s lineup, and described the potential benefit of beginning the series with a fresh bullpen as a consideration in theory. The rotation choice...