Kevin Cash's devotion to Rays' Ian Seymour finally coming back to bite him in World Series vs. Brewers

There was a feeling when this call to the bullpen was made. You’d seen this one before from the Tampa Bay Rays. It didn’t always reveal itself through runs allowed, but each time Ian Seymour took the mound, there was a risk.

He had put two of their American League Championship Series wins in jeopardy. They either brought in another arm to limit the damage, or the offense re-extended the lead. 

Come Game 2 of the World Series, the choice finally bit manager Kevin Cash. Clinging to a 4-3 lead, Seymour allowed a game-tying solo home run from Sal Frelick to lead off the bottom of the sixth.

After the home run, they could barely get out of the inning. He couldn't get the third out, and Tyler Wells had to come in and end the inning.

This is a team that’s already limited in its bullpen. It’s both figurative and literal. Figurative in quality, but they also only have 12 pitchers. Still, the choice to go with Seymour in a tight spot was perplexing.

Rays get bit by unsurprising arm

Granted, every moment against this Brewers lineup was like pulling teeth. It’s not just Seymour in that specific game. But there are some arms that can be trusted more than others. Kevin Kelly, for example, wasn't shut down, but at least he was a high-leverage arm.

Garrett Clevinger is another lefty they could have gone back to. Game 1 was his first appearance of the postseason. He could have gone back-to-back nights ahead of an off day.

Maybe it's just that he doesn't feel like he has a choice but to use him. After all, the Rays had to use so many pitchers on Saturday that Cash had to go back to Steven Matz for an out after he had thrown 31 pitches the night before.

Bryan Baker has been nowhere to be found since Game 6 of the ALCS.

Losing a starter earlier than planned is always a nightmare, but for the Rays, it left them with few options to navigate much of the game.

If they ultimately find themselves on the losing end of this World Series, the bullpen is going to be one of the top priorities to address this offseason.

A team can reach the World Series and still not be a complete team. They'll have see what they can do to become that.

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