Passan: Jeffers to Yankees feels preordained

Jax last started Game 3 against the Guardians in the ALCS and allowed three runs over four innings in what turned out to be a 3-2 loss for the Rays. It’ll be his first career World Series appearance.

Chourio singled and scored in a two-run third and then had a two-hits as part of an eight-run fifth inning in which the Brewers collected seven straight hits with two outs. He has eight hits through three World Series games, and if things continue to play out like this, series MVP honors will probably come down to him or William Contreras. Game 4 is slated for Tuesday night. Both starters are TBA, though Griffin Jax and Dustin May figure to be involved.

Gasser gave up a Yandy Díaz single to begin the bottom of the first, but he faced only three batters then after Chandler Simpson, who barely beat out a double play ball on which Díaz was retired, was caught stealing. The only other batter to reach was Victor Mesa Jr. on a walk in the sixth, and he was erased on a Nick Fortes double play. Gasser’s three postseason starts have seen him give up only one run in 15 innings. It’s a distant concern right now, but he’s probably locked up his spot in the 2027 rotation.

Woodruff, returning from a shoulder injury, allowed one run on a soft infield single and a ringing double from Yandy Díaz, but he looked fine in averaging 91.2 mph with his fastball and topping out at 93.1 mph. It was his first postseason appearance since the 2021 NLDS, when he lost a 3-0 game to the Braves and later pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Peralta surrendered two runs in the third on three singles and a walk. The rest of the damage came in the fifth, which was very nearly a scoreless frame. However, an overturned call correctly got Christian Yelich second base ahead of Junior Caminero’s relay on a grounder to third with two outs. Peralta was then pulled with the bases loaded, and the Brewers went on to score eight runs, collecting four straight hits off Cam Booser and two more off Cole Sulser before the inning finally concluded. It was probably a very disappointing end to a stellar postseason run for Peralta, who was the ALCS MVP against the Guardians. But there’s still a chance the Rays will rally and give him one more chance.

Fatse worked from the Red Sox from 2019 until this April, when he was part of the purge that also resulted in Alex Cora’s removal. He had since served as a hitting consultant with the Rays. He’ll be replacing Kevin Long in Philadelphia.

Nothing the Brewers are doing needs fixing at the moment. The lineup: LF Jackson Chourio, 1B Jake Bauers, DH Yelich, C William Contreras, 2B Brice Turang, CF Garrett Mitchell, SS Cooper Pratt, RF Sal Frelick and 3B David Hamilton.

Aranda has been a platoon player in the past, but not so much recently. He had started all of the Rays’ previous postseason games, and he’s hit .310/.383/.405 in 48 plate appearances. Ryan Vilade is playing first base in his place tonight, and Nick Fortes is catching over Liam Hicks. The lineup: DH Yandy Díaz, 1B Vilade, LF Chandler Simpson, 3B Junior Caminero, 2B Ben Williamson, CF Jonny DeLuca, RF Victor Mesa Jr., C Fortes and SS Taylor Walls.

Muncy was placed on the injured list on September 22nd with left knee chondromalacia, which is a cartilage issue under his kneecap. We don’t know exactly what type of surgery he had or what the specific timeline will be, but it’s been reported that “he’ll begin rehab immediately and is expected to be ready for 2027 Spring Training.”

The Astros said that the surgery was to “address a labral injury and hip impingement that were identified shortly after the season ended.” Loperfido is not expected to miss time during the regular season, but he will be behind in spring training, which could make it hard for him to make the MLB roster out of camp.