The Opener: Peralta, Baker, Ohtani

The Dodgers will turn to Blake Snell in Game 3. He struggled with control in the NLDS, but did extend his streak to nine straight starts allowing one earned run or fewer. 1. Fastball Freddy is back Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta delivered an excellent performance to even the ALCS at a game apiece. He punched out six Guardians over six scoreless innings. Parker Messick was almost as good on the other side, but a Jose Ramirez error gave the Rays an early lead they wouldn’t give back. Peralta pushed his fastball usage above 70% in the outing. “That was probably the best that it’s been,” pitching coach Kyle Snyder said (h/t Will Sammon of The Athletic). 2. Baker does it again Rays closer Bryan Baker tied current ALCS opponent Cade Smith for the league lead in saves during the regular season. He’s racked up four more saves in the playoffs. Baker needed just eight pitches to retire the Guardians in order on Tuesday. He has closed out every Rays playoff win so far, allowing a total of one baserunner. Here’s more on Baker’s emergence as one of the best relievers in the AL after coming over in a trade with the Orioles. 3. Ohtani playing on Wednesday After some discussion that he might be benched, Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup tonight in Game 3 of the NLCS. Ohtani’s slump at the plate continued on Monday with an 0-for-4 showing. He punched out two more times, bringing his strikeout rate to 29.2% in the postseason. He’s hitting .150 in six games. “He was adamant that he can help us,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Game 3 (h/t Andy McCullough of The Athletic). “He’s well enough to help us win a baseball game, so that’s all I needed to hear.” Photo courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images View Comments (1)