Cash turns to Martinez for the opener
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Thursday that Nick Martinez will take the ball for Game 1 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. ET, with coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. The assignment puts the 36-year-old right-hander on the mound for the opening game of the Fall Classic rather than in a later slot.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]
Across the matchup, Milwaukee will counter with Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers' ace. The pairing means Tampa Bay opens the series against frontline pitching, while Milwaukee immediately faces a starter with extensive regular-season work behind him. The Brewers hold home-field advantage for the opener, according to reporting on the series.[S1][S6]
A post-season résumé built on the clincher
Martinez's latest appearance came in the American League Championship Series, where he started Game 6 against the Cleveland Guardians and closed out the series for Tampa Bay. He worked 5.1 innings in that clincher, surrendering one run on two hits. It was the outing that sent the Rays into the World Series and the most recent evidence of how Cash's staff has used him in high-leverage spots.[S1]
That start was one of only two Martinez made during this post-season. His other came against the New York Yankees, when he lasted 3.2 innings and gave up two runs. Between the two outings, the Rays have a limited but recent sample of how Martinez fares when the games carry the most weight.[S1]
Regular-season workload behind the decision
During the regular season, Martinez posted a 3.10 ERA and a 1.094 WHIP across a career-high 31 starts. He struck out 109 batters and issued just 26 walks over that span. The workload marked the heaviest starting schedule of his career, and the control numbers stand out alongside the earned-run average.[S1]
The decision to open with Martinez comes as the Rays finalize their pitching plan for the series, with the Brewers hosting Game 1. Tampa Bay's choice was reported by multiple outlets covering the matchup, and the announcement places the veteran at the front of the rotation for the Fall Classic.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
