Atypical errors, dominant pens, offensive woes: What we've learned about Rays, Brewers so far — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Aaron Ashby has pitched 15⅔ innings across eight postseason games with dominant results, leading all pitchers in Mr. October rankings and helping secure two Brewers victories in the World Series
- Tampa Bay Rays have committed atypical defensive mistakes and baserunning blunders in the first two games, including a dropped fly ball by Chandler Simpson and a bungled grounder by Jonathan Aranda
- William Contreras is 4-for-8 with two RBIs, two caught stealings, and a perfect record in ABS challenges, while also contributing offensively and behind the plate for Milwaukee
- Robert Gasser has allowed just one run in nine innings over two postseason starts, giving the Brewers reliable innings despite being a less-heralded starter
- Freddy Peralta has posted a 0.89 ERA since August 26 and will start Game 3 at Tropicana Field, where his rising four-seam fastball gains added effectiveness
- Brewers bullpen relievers Ashby, Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, DL Hall, and JoJo Romero have combined for a 0.81 ERA across 44 innings in the postseason
- Kevin Cash has limited bullpen options beyond Bryan Baker and Cam Booser, creating pressure for starters to pitch deeper into games
Why it matters: The Brewers’ bullpen depth and offensive consistency give them a tangible edge in a series where small mistakes are magnified, while the Rays’ narrow relief corps and uncharacteristic sloppiness increase the risk of a quick exit unless they reset at home — a shift that could hinge on starter durability and defensive discipline.
Ask SkimNews
