Tampa Bay Starts 36-Year-Old Martinez Over Ace Rasmussen in World Series Game 1

Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay will start veteran Nick Martinez instead of ace Drew Rasmussen in Game 1 of the World Series.

Tampa Bay announced that 36-year-old Martinez will take the mound as the starter for Game 1 of the World Series, which will be held in Milwaukee tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM (Korea Standard Time).

His opposing starter will be Milwaukee's ace Jacob Misiorowski, who secured 16 wins this season backed by a blazing fastball exceeding 160 km/h.

Martinez posted 15 wins and 6 losses with a 3.10 ERA during the regular season, showing particular strength on the road with a 7-3 record and a 2.38 ERA.

He also pitched well in the postseason, making two starts with a 1-0 record and a 3.00 ERA.

Tampa Bay has recorded 24 wins and 9 losses in games started by Martinez, combining the regular season and postseason.

Manager Kevin Cash expressed strong confidence, stating, "When Martinez pitches, we win."

Martinez becomes the third starting pitcher in Tampa Bay franchise history to start Game 1 of the World Series, following Scott Kazmir in 2008 and Tyler Glasnow in 2020.

Tampa Bay plans to deploy ace Rasmussen in Game 2, and American League Championship Series MVP Freddy Peralta for Game 3, which will be held at home.

Peralta, a native of Milwaukee, secured 10 wins in the regular season this year and delivered a stellar postseason performance with a 2-0 record and a 1.08 ERA.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.