Rays have golden opportunity to shift pitching plan after ALCS rainout

Another rainy night in Cleveland has required MLB  to push back Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. It’s been an issue for multiple games, but there is a bright side. The Rays have more rotation options because they had the extra day off.  

However, while this brings new opportunity and flexibility for the Tampa Bay Rays’ plans for the starting rotation, they are playing it safe and sticking with All-Star Nick Martinez on Saturday.

This move is understandable. However, it would be wise for the Rays to take advantage of this flexibility, as it better sets them up for the remainder of the series and beyond.

A major change should be that Drew Rasmussen starts Game 4. If not for the rain, Saturday would have been Game 5, and he would have been on the mound anyway. 

He can pitch on regular rest, Martinez can be moved to Sunday’s Game 5 and Freddy Peralta would still be a go for a potential Game 6. 

There is an extra layer to this. Otherwise, it truly wouldn’t matter the order of who was pitching. Because on the surface, they’re rolling out All-Stars in back-to-back games and then their lights-out trade-deadline acquisition.  

Originally, Saturday’s Game 5 would have been followed by an off day on Sunday. There would have been two days separating Game 5 and Game 7 instead of one day. 

Rasmussen pitching on Saturday would mean he would still get two days’ rest to be available in some capacity for a potential all-hands-on-deck Game 7 on Tuesday.  

It doesn’t mean he would be the starting pitcher. He wouldn’t have enough rest for that. But two days’ rest could mean the Rays have their best pitcher available out of the bullpen for a couple of innings. 

Starters throw in between starts. Instead of a throwing program, he comes into Game 7. Of course, the Rays should still do the due diligence and see how he feels on that hypothetical day, but if he’s a go, then he’s in the bullpen, ready and waiting. 

Knowing how shaky the Rays' bullpen can be, having their ace available could be what makes the difference.  

But why him instead of a different starter on two days’ rest?  Yes, Martinez is also reliable. But it’s simple, Rasmussen is their best pitcher.  You want your best pitchers available in a do-or-die game.

It doesn’t matter who pitches Game 1 of the World Series unless they get there. If they lose in the ALCS, Rasmussen then has the whole offseason to rest up. 

That being said, the Rays would still be just fine for the World Series in this scenario.  

Game 1 of the World Series is on Friday. This gives Martinez enough time after pitching on Sunday to be rested.  Peralta can then pitch Game 2.  After pitching on two days’ rest, Rasmussen would get nearly a week off before getting a start in what would be a guaranteed Game 3.  

Better yet, if the Rays win the ALCS in six games, then he’s the Game 1 starter for the World Series.

The Rays have their chance to have their cake and eat it too.  They have the chance to set themselves up perfectly for their fight to reach the Fall Classic.  They can also still set themselves up perfectly for that series.

That’s not the plan at this time.  They can likely make due with this current plan.  But if they want to maximize this opportunity, this would be the way to go.

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