Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta delivers to the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Rays Turn to Freddy Peralta to Flip World Series Against Brewers at the Trop
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays are down two games, but the gap on the scoreboard has been much smaller. Two one-run losses have left them chasing the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, not searching for proof they can compete.
Now they turn to Freddy Peralta.
The American League Championship Series MVP will start Game 3 on Monday, October 26, at Tropicana Field against Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX One.
For Tampa Bay, the assignment is straightforward: Get a strong start from Peralta, stop giving away outs and turn a return home into a change in momentum.
Down 0-2, but Not Without Reasons for Confidence
The Rays have lost the first two games by a combined two runs. They also know their own mistakes have helped Milwaukee, including unnecessary outs on the bases and defensive lapses.
“Against Milwaukee, if you give up outs, they’re gonna do that, they’re gonna use that against you,” Rays third baseman Junior Caminero said. “That’s what happens.”
There are reasons for Tampa Bay to remain upbeat without dismissing the challenge. The Rays overcame a 2-1 deficit against Cleveland in the ALCS by winning three straight. They also built a 4-0 lead in World Series Game 2 before Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 victory.
The opportunity is there. The execution has to improve.
History favors Milwaukee: MLB reports that 45 of the previous 55 teams to take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven World Series won the championship. That makes Monday pivotal, although it is not an elimination game.
Freddy Peralta Gives Tampa Bay Its Best Reason to Believe
Peralta enters Game 3 with the kind of recent performance that can steady a team facing a series deficit.
The right-hander is 7-0 with a 0.89 ERA over his last 10 appearances, including nine starts, since August 26. This postseason, he is 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA, having allowed two runs over 16⅔ innings.
His work at Tropicana Field has been especially strong. Since joining Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, Peralta has posted a 1.45 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks across 37⅓ innings in seven home starts. The Rays gave him extra rest after the ALCS before this assignment.
Those numbers offer encouragement, but the walks are worth watching. Against a Milwaukee lineup that has repeatedly extended innings and capitalized on mistakes, free baserunners could narrow Peralta’s margin for error.
How the Rays Helped Peralta Find His Form
Peralta’s resurgence followed specific changes with Tampa Bay pitching coach Kyle Snyder.
He moved to the third-base side of the rubber, abandoned his windup and raised his release point. He also worked to drive more powerfully down the mound, increasing his extension and the perceived velocity of his pitches.
The pitch mix changed, too. Peralta increased his changeup usage, reduced his reliance on breaking balls and attacked the top of the strike zone more often with his fastball.
That combination gives Monday’s matchup its central pitching question: Can Peralta establish his elevated fastball while using the changeup to keep Milwaukee’s hitters from sitting on it?
There is also a personal layer. Peralta spent years as a central figure in Milwaukee’s rotation before an offseason move to the Mets and a subsequent trade to Tampa Bay. Now his former teammates stand between him and a World Series comeback.
“He was our ace. He was our guy,” Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick said.
Robert Gasser Brings More Than a Supporting Role
Gasser may draw less attention than Peralta, but his recent results make him a serious obstacle.
The Milwaukee left-hander has allowed one run in nine innings over two postseason starts. Across eight appearances since August 26, including the regular season and playoffs, he is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA.
Gasser began the season at Triple-A Nashville before pitching his way into October assignments against San Diego and Los Angeles. MLB credits his high-quality sweeper and growing confidence as key parts of that rise.
His presence also changes Tampa Bay’s lineup decisions. Gasser is the first left-handed starter the Rays will face in this World Series, creating an opening for manager Kevin Cash to use more right-handed platoon options.
For the Rays, making Gasser work matters. But reaching Milwaukee’s bullpen does not necessarily make the task easier.
Milwaukee’s Bullpen Is a Major Part of the Matchup
Brewers relievers carry a 1.24 ERA through the club’s first 10 postseason games. Aaron Ashby has not allowed a run in 15⅔ playoff innings, and his five-out save in Game 2 allowed closer Trevor Megill to rest. Abner Uribe remains another major late-inning option.
That depth gives Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy flexibility. Gasser does not have to carry the entire game for the Brewers to feel comfortable.
Tampa Bay should also have a rested bullpen after Sunday’s off day. Bryan Baker handles closing assignments, Cam Booser has emerged as the top left-handed option, and Tyler Wells can provide more than one inning. One decision remains whether Griffin Jax is available in relief or held for a potential Game 4 start.
Projected Rays Starting Lineup
The following is MLB.com’s projected lineup against Gasser, not an officially announced batting order.
The projection gives Tampa Bay additional right-handed options while keeping Aranda and Simpson in the order. DeLuca enters after a two-hit Game 2, while Williamson is looking to improve on a 1-for-12 postseason start.
Projected Brewers Starting Lineup
Milwaukee used the same lineup in Games 1 and 2. MLB.com projects that order to continue against Peralta, although the official lineup remains subject to change.
Jackson Chourio — LF
Jake Bauers — 1B
Christian Yelich — DH
William Contreras — C
Brice Turang — 2B
Garrett Mitchell — CF
Cooper Pratt — SS
Sal Frelick — RF
David Hamilton — 3B
Starting pitcher: Robert Gasser, LHP.
Chourio had two hits and two stolen bases in Game 2. Contreras enters with 15 postseason hits and a 1.135 postseason OPS, making the top half of Milwaukee’s order a demanding test for Peralta.
What Will Decide Game 3
For Tampa Bay, the path starts with clean baseball. The Rays cannot afford to pair walks with defensive mistakes or erase scoring chances on the bases.
Peralta’s ability to work deep would help Cash manage a potential stretch of three games in three nights. On offense, Tampa Bay needs sustained pressure rather than another early burst followed by quiet innings.
Monday will be the first World Series game at Tropicana Field since October 23, 2008. The Rays return with a difficult deficit, but also with their ALCS MVP on the mound and evidence that the first two games were within reach.
