A nice comprehensive win for the Rays with Mac dealing and Happ and Arozarena leading the offensive charge.
Game 2:
A tough one as you'd think the offense could do better than four hits against a Twins team that had to piece together a bullpen game after starter Sonny Gray left in the 3rd with an injury. Zach Eflin pitched his heart out but received no support.
Game 3:
The bats were largely AWOL again, Springs wasn't very good and the Rays now find themselves trailing in the ALCS.
Game 4:
Backs to the wall now as Game 4 was essentially a carbon copy of Game 3. The offense which mauled Houston in the ALDS is nowhere to be found these days.
Game 5:
The Rays' playoff life flashed before their eyes after Jason Adam gave up a 2-run homer to Byron Buxton in the 7th to blow a 3-1 lead but the offense came through in the 10th with 3 runs to keep the 2023 season alive for Tampa Bay. Josh Lowe was inserted into the lineup to replace the slumping Ian Happ and came through, going 2-3 with a steal and an RBI and then when a lefty came in, Happ's infield single started the 10th-inning rally.
Game 6:
Randy Arozarena had been known for coming through on the biggest stages after his record-setting 2020 playoffs and his heroics for Mexico in this year's World Baseball Classic, but he was relatively quiet this postseason. Until tonight that is as his grand slam was the difference with the Rays forcing a deciding Game 7 tomorrow night.
Game 7:
Man, what a gut-punch. Two outs away from a return to the World Series and a comeback from 1-3 down in the ALCS, Pete Fairbanks served up a 3-run homer to Jorge Polanco and the Twins took Game 7 to advance to the Fall Classic. Fairbanks' blown save wasted a heroic effort from Jose Siri, who twice homered tonight to put the Rays ahead, including a solo shot in the 7th which gave them a 4-3 lead. This one is gonna sting.
So who will Minnesota be playing in the World Series?
It will be a rematch of the 1965 World Series as the Dodgers had to overcome blowing a 3-0 series lead to take Game 7 from the Padres and avenge last year's NLDS upset. Maybe Sandy Koufax and Jim Kaat can throw out the first pitches.