The Rays are down 2-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, and for Game 3 tonight at Tropicana Field, manager Kevin Cash is changing the lineup card. Jonathan Aranda is out. Ryan Belate starts at first base, and Ben Williamson moves up to fifth in the batting order. When the offense is searching for answers, you try new names in new spots.
Yandy Diaz stays right where he’s been, leading off and leading the room. Cash talked about Diaz’s growth as a leader, saying he makes more progress year by year. That steady presence matters with the season on the line.
The storylines run deep in this one. Former Rays first baseman Jake Bauers is now Milwaukee’s NLCS MVP, and he’ll face ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta. Drew Rasmussen once pitched in the Brewers system too. Out in the parking lot before the game, longtime fans were making their predictions, including a Sarasota season-ticket holder who says Rays in six. Do you think the Rays can climb out of this hole?
