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The Milwaukee Brewers hold a 2-0 lead in the World Series after capturing nail-biting victories in Games 1 and 2 at American Family Field. As the series shifts to Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays face a must-win Game 3 on Monday night as they attempt to become the first team to erase a 2-0 deficit in the World Series since the 1996 New York Yankees.
Can Freddy Peralta continue his postseason excellence?
The Rays will hand the ball to Freddy Peralta, the ALCS MVP and a former Brewer, for Monday’s crucial contest. In the last 40 years, six teams have overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, with a stellar Game 3 pitching performance serving as the common thread. Rays manager Kevin Cash expressed strong confidence in his pitcher, noting, as reported by CBS Sports Headlines, “I give Freddy a lot of credit for being a good pitcher and being vulnerable enough to say, ‘I wasn’t comfortable doing some things and I want to get back to my strengths.'”
Peralta has allowed just two runs across 16 ⅔ innings in three starts and one relief appearance this postseason. Since joining the Rays from the Mets at the trade deadline, he has posted a 0.88 ERA over 50 ⅔ innings starting August 26. Because Tampa’s middle relief appears shaky, the team would greatly benefit from a deep outing from Peralta to minimize bullpen usage.
How much can the Brewers lean on their bullpen?
Left-hander Aaron Ashby has excelled for Milwaukee this postseason, tossing 15 ⅔ scoreless frames in high-leverage situations while recording at least five outs in seven of his eight appearances. Hard-throwing right-hander Abner Uribe has also anchored the late innings, giving up just two runs over nine innings. Uribe secured four outs in both Games 1 and 2, while Ashby recorded five outs in each of those contests.
Following Saturday’s victory, Brewers manager Pat Murphy admitted that his top relievers are running on fumes. Murphy explained to CBS Sports Headlines, “They’re not fresh, that’s for sure.” Despite their fatigue, Murphy is expected to rely heavily on Uribe and Ashby if Milwaukee holds a chance to secure a commanding 3-0 series lead, though other relievers like DL Hall, JoJo Romero, or Antonio Senzatela may eventually be called upon.
Will Yandy Díaz get going at the plate?
Rays slugger Yandy Díaz opened the World Series by driving a ball to the right-field wall, but he has gone hitless since, sitting at 0 for 9 with three strikeouts through the first two games. His frustration peaked in the ninth inning of Game 2 when he struck out on a checked swing. Cash commented to CBS Sports Headlines on the emotional at-bat, stating, “Just the emotion, wanting to come through right there in the moment.”
Díaz excelled in the previous round against the Cleveland Guardians, batting .333 with four doubles and two home runs across six games. The Rays will need their longest-tenured player to rediscover his rhythm immediately if they hope to spark a comeback in Game 3.
