With No. 1 secured, Rays set WC rotation
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays secured the No. 1 seed in the American League with an A’s loss to the Mariners on Saturday, and the team also announced what its pitching rotation will look like during the first three postseason games.
On Saturday, manager Kevin Cash made it official. Blake Snell will start Game 1 for the Rays, while Tyler Glasnow gets the Game 2 start. If the series is tied after the first two games, Tampa Bay will lean on Charlie Morton in a decisive Game 3.
As of Saturday, the Rays’ most likely postseason opponent will be the Blue Jays, who they are very familiar with. The Rays faced the Blue Jays 10 times this season, going 6-4 in those games. However, Toronto outscored Tampa Bay, 48-44.
In two starts against the Blue Jays this season, Snell was still building up his innings, allowing two runs over just 7 2/3 innings of work. The left-hander, however, has had a lot of success against Toronto throughout his career, posting a 2.81 ERA in 13 starts.
Glasnow hasn’t faced Toronto in 2020, but the right-hander has had his struggles against the Blue Jays. He is 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in six starts. Glasnow will enter the postseason with 91 strikeouts this season.
Starting a potential Game 3 would be familiar territory for Morton. With the win against Oakland in the American League Wild Card Game last season, Morton became the first pitcher in Major League history to win three winner-take-all postseason games.
Morton has struggled to find consistency this season, but the Rays feel confident in having Morton on the mound for a potential Game 3 as opposed to going with a bullpen day.
Injury updates
According to Cash, Yandy Díaz and Ji-Man Choi -- both recovering from hamstring strains -- went through a “lighter day” on Saturday, but there’s still growing optimism that the two infielders could be part of the Rays’ 28-man active roster in the Wild Card Series.
“They’re both in good spots,” Cash said. “We feel comfortable how their progression is going and I think we’ll wait until tomorrow to have them come in. As it stands right now, our taxi squad will not work out tomorrow, but Yandy and Ji-Man will come in.”
Cash added that Choi and Díaz will also go through another workout on Monday, which should give the team a better sense of their availability.
As for José Alvarado (lat/shoulder), the left-hander threw a live batting practice session on Saturday and is another candidate to potentially make the postseason roster. Alvarado hasn’t pitched since Aug. 14 and his availability will depend on health and his ability to command the zone.
“Velo was up right where we like it. I think he was at 96-97 [mph],” Cash said. “Landed a couple of breaking balls. He’s another one to make a decision on. Just get his comfort from a health standpoint. He certainly appears like he’s healthy.”