The Tampa Bay Rays announced their starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, making several key changes to the lineup card. For the first time this postseason, Jonathan Aranda will not start, with Ryan Vilade taking his place at first base. The Rays also replaced left-handed catcher Liam Hicks and second baseman Richie Palacios with right-handed hitters Nick Fortes and Ben Williamson, respectively, in a move to counter Brewers starter Robert Gasser.
Game 3 begins at 8 p.m. ET on Fox at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Brewers hold a 2-0 series lead, and the Rays face elimination if they lose tonight.
Strategic lineup adjustments
Rays manager Kevin Cash cited platoon splits as the reason for the changes. Gasser, a left-handed pitcher, has limited left-handed hitters to a .552 OPS during the regular season, while right-handed hitters posted a .765 OPS against him. Aranda, a left-handed hitter, batted .250 with a .337 on-base percentage against lefties this season but slugged .471 against right-handed pitching. Vilade, who will start at first base, posted a .272/.341/.477 slash line in 170 plate appearances against lefties, including a home run off Max Fried in the ALDS.
Hicks, a left-handed catcher, has struggled against left-handed pitching, posting a .194/.294/.232 line in his career. Fortes, a right-handed hitter, will start behind the plate. Palacios, who hit .158 off lefties this year, will be replaced by Williamson, who has tallied just one hit in the postseason.
Pitching matchups
Brewers starter Robert Gasser takes the mound for Milwaukee, making his first World Series start. Gasser has been dominant in the postseason, allowing just one earned run over nine innings with six hits and two walks, striking out six. He has faced Hicks twice in his career, holding him hitless in both at-bats.
The Rays counter with Freddy Peralta, a former Brewers pitcher making his fourth postseason start. Peralta has allowed just two earned runs in 16.2 innings this postseason, with 12 strikeouts.
Series context and stakes
The Brewers have won two of the first two games, with Milwaukee’s bullpen and clutch hitting highlighted as key factors. The Rays, meanwhile, have struggled to drive in runners in scoring position, despite strong overall offensive production. Tampa Bay needs a win to keep their World Series hopes alive, as a loss would put them on the brink of elimination.
Game 3 marks the first time the series shifts to Tampa Bay, where the Rays will look to regain momentum against a Brewers team that has shown resilience throughout the postseason.