The Tampa Bay Rays selected 36-year-old pitcher Nick Martinez to start Game 1 of the 2026 World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, passing over Drew Rasmussen to preserve rest for their pitching staff.
Rays Turn to Nick Martinez for Game 1
The 2026 World Series opens with a matchup between two franchises seeking their first title in club history. While the Milwaukee Brewers hand the baseball to hard-throwing ace Jacob Misiorowski for the opener, the Tampa Bay Rays chose a veteran approach by tabbing Martinez to take the mound for Game 1.
The decision keeps regular rotation anchors on a modified schedule. By holding Rasmussen back, the coaching staff ensured the right-hander receives five full days of rest between outings.
Martinez becomes just the third pitcher in franchise history to start Game 1 of the World Series, following Scott Kazmir in 2008 and Tyler Glasnow in 2020. At 36 years and 79 days old, he also stands as the oldest pitcher to make his World Series debut as a Game 1 starter since 2004, when Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox took the ball at 38 years and 82 days old against Woody Williams and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kevin Cash Trusts Martinez to Start Opening Game
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash expressed total confidence in handing the opening assignment to the veteran right-hander, pointing to a sustained trend in team success when he takes the ball. “When Martinez starts, we win games,” Cash said, noting the team’s 24-9 record in games started by Martinez.
Martinez acknowledged the gravity of the assignment while previewing the Milwaukee batting order. “It’s exciting, I think as a team, as a part of it, we have a lot of confidence in any pitcher who is sent out there, this time this task fell on me, my job is to get as many outs as possible, to keep the team in a competitive state,” Martinez said. He added that the Brewers present a difficult test: “They won’t let go of any loose pitches, they will fight hard on every pitch, this game will be a hard battle.”
Rasmussen voiced full support for the organization’s handling of his workload. “The coaching staff takes really good care of me, so I never question any of the arrangements they make for my health, they do everything every day to make sure I can perform at my best in every start, I’m very grateful that they value my health,” Rasmussen said.
Martinez Faces Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1
Game 1 of the 2026 World Series begins on October 23, with Martinez opposing Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski. The series continues through the week with subsequent games scheduled as both teams vie for their first World Series title.
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