Rays Trim Series Deficit to 3-1 After 12-Inning Win

Tampa Bay Rays fans have watched their team fall behind 3-0 in the World Series before, but the club avoided a sweep on Tuesday. The Rays defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings at Game 4, reducing the host team's lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-1. The result keeps Tampa Bay alive for Wednesday's Game 5.

Historical data suggests the Rays face long odds. Only one of 42 teams trailing 3-0 in MLB postseason history has won the series, the 2004 Boston Red Sox. However, 14 of 96 teams down 3-1 have rallied to claim the championship, placing the Rays' theoretical chance at 14.6%. Teams in that position have also won Game 5 in half of all instances.

Manager Kevin Cash utilized seven pitchers during the Tuesday contest to secure the win. This strategy complicates the starting rotation for the next day. Nick Martinez, originally scheduled to start Game 5, threw two scoreless relief innings on 33 pitches. Griffin Jax worked 74 pitches and is likely unavailable. Ian Seymour threw 32 pitches, which may also rule him out of the starting role.

Cole Sulser, Steven Matz, and Garrett Cleavinger did not pitch on Tuesday and remain options for the mound. Bryan Baker and Kevin Kelly sat out Monday's loss, preserving their availability. Tyler Wells and Cameron Booser have pitched in consecutive games, while Drew Rasmussen would be on three days of rest, a scenario that has never occurred in his career.

Milwaukee presents a clearer path with Jacob Misiorowski. The 24-year-old National League Cy Young favorite will make his fourth playoff start. He threw five innings in Game 1, allowing one run. That outing followed 11 days of rest, whereas Wednesday's start comes on a standard four days of rest. His high workload this season adds uncertainty to his performance.

Tampa Bay also faces a key decision regarding third baseman Junior Caminero. He left Game 4 in the 12th inning with a left foot injury after reaching base on an error. Cash stated, "He'll play tomorrow on one leg. I'll make sure of it." Caminero has posted a .717 OPS in the playoffs but has hit only one home run in 48 at-bats, a stark contrast to his 42 regular-season home runs.

The Brewers' bullpen worked hard in Game 4, potentially limiting their options for relief pitching. The Rays must decide if they risk Caminero's full strength and rely on a depleted pitching staff. Game 5 is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.