A tough start...
The Rays dropped the ALCS in opener in Detroit when the bullpen let them down after taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the 7th on
Wander Franco's 2-run homer.
Alex Vesia, who breezed through the 6th on 9 pitches, got the leadoff man in the 7th and was up against righty-hitting Jake Rogers. With Vesia rated at 70 movement, I figured I'd leave him in with lefties due up after Rogers. Sure enough Rogers took him deep, and then Vesia wound up giving up a double to a lefty. Portsider
Christian Chamberlain then surrendered a single to bring the runner home and the game was lost. The Rays had a chance in the 9th when
Ed Howard reached on a fielder's choice and stole second with one out, but neither
Victor Robles nor Franco could bring him home. Now
Tarik Skubal will face his former team in Game 2 looking to keep the Rays from falling into a real hole.