Nick Martínez will be in charge of starting for Tampa Bay, while Jacob Misiorowski will take the mound for Milwaukee in the first game of the Fall Classic.
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers already have their starting pitchers defined for the first game of the 2026 World Series, which will begin this Friday, October 23. Nick Martínez will assume responsibility for the Tampa Bay team, while Jacob Misiorowski will be in charge of starting for Milwaukee.
Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed this Thursday his decision to trust the experienced 36-year-old right-hander, who will have the mission of leading the way for his team at the start of the Major League championship series.
“When Nick pitches, we win,” Cash said, according to statements collected by Michael Bier of Foul Territory. “We’re excited to get the ball to him for the first game and we’ll see how we go from there.”
Nick Martínez receives the trust of Kevin Cash
The selection of Martínez also responds to the planning of the Tampa Bay coaching staff, which seeks to grant additional rest to Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta, who were also considered possible starters for the first game.
Martínez comes to this appointment after an outstanding performance in the fourth game of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians.
In that presentation, the right-hander was credited with the victory after allowing just one earned run and two hits during five and a third innings, a performance that reinforced the coaching staff’s confidence in his ability to respond in decisive moments.
Jacob Misiorowski will start for Milwaukee
For their part, the Brewers will bet on Jacob Misiorowski to start the first matchup of the World Series.
The duel between Martínez and Misiorowski will put two pitchers with different profiles face to face, in a commitment that could be decisive in establishing the pace of the series.
Tampa Bay will seek to take advantage of Martínez’s experience, while Milwaukee will try to start with a victory that allows it to take advantage in the fight for the Major League title.
