Rhett Lowder pulled after three against Cubs

DeLuca took advantage of a drawn-in infield with runners on first-and-third and singled up the middle to tie the game at 3-3. It was his only hit of the game and he has scuffled mightily over this postseason, but he keeps the Rays alive with a chance to make the series a little tighter with a Game 5 win Wednesday.

Pratt also singled twice and doubled, but the hit he will remember forever was his go-ahead homer off Ian Seymour that gives the Brew Crew a 3-2 lead in the 12th. Unfortunately for Pratt and the Brew Crew, it wasn’t enough with Tampa Bay scoring twice in the bottom of the frame. The 22-year-old has been outstanding in the postseason minus some mental gaffes, but the Brewers will need to win one more game to clinch that first championship.

Yep, just like we all predicted. With the bases loaded, Williamson took a defensive hack that scooted through the turf of Tampa Bay to give the Rays a win and staved off elimination for at least one more game. The 25-year-old has his first-ever postseason RBI, and likely won’t be in the lineup in Game 5 come Wednesday. He’ll be able to stay he had a game-winning hit in the World Series, however, which has to feel pretty dang good.

Jax gave up a ton of loud contact with nine balls in play registering as hard hits. He also generated 11 swings and misses and six strikeouts, so it was more of a case of poor command than lack of stuff. He also was almost assuredly left in too long, and gave up a homer to David Hamilton in the fifth before exiting. Jax did a solid job as a starter for Tampa Bay in 2026, and he’ll likely be back in the middle of the Rays’ rotation in 2027, but he likely will be an option in Game 6 or 7 if Tampa Bay can force one.

May pounded the strike zone, and threw 30-of-39 pitches for strikes without issuing a walk. He found too much of the plate a time or two too many, however, and gave up an RBI double to Chandler Simpson and was charged for another run in the fourth after exiting with zero outs. May has a $20 million option that will assuredly be declined, so he’ll be a free agent who should have a decent market this winter. He could also pitch at some point out of the bullpen over the next few games, if necessary.

It sounds like Brandon Woodruff would have opened tonight if he hadn’t finished last night’s game. As is, May will make his second start of the postseason after pitching in relief his last three times out. He’s surrendered five runs in eight innings thus far in October. The Brewers figure to be very aggressive tonight with all of their key relievers having enjoyed back-to-back days off.

Vilade started over Aranda at first base against a lefty on Monday. That Mesa committed a miscue in that one might factor into him taking a seat tonight, but on paper, going to Vilade against a righty seems like a bit of a downgrade both offensively and defensively. The Rays’ lineup as they try to extend the series: DH Yandy Díaz, 1B Aranda, 3B Junior Caminero, C Liam Hicks, CF Jonny DeLuca, LF Chandler Simpson, RF Vilade, 2B Richie Palacio and SS Taylor Walls.

It’s the first change of the World Series for the Brewers, but they’re going with the same nine while facing a fourth straight righty. Frelick moves up despite taking a hard fall on his troublesome right shoulder late last night. He’s 4-for-11 with a homer through three games, compared to 2-for-11 for Mitchell. The lineup: LF Jackson Chourio, 1B Jake Bauers, DH Christian Yelich, C William Contreras, 2B Brice Turang, RF Frelick, SS Cooper Pratt, CF Mitchell and 3B David Hamilton.

Rocco Baldelli might have been the favorite for the gig before withdrawing from consideration. Now it’s down to Espada, who spent the last three years managing the Astros, and Kanzler, the Cubs’ farm director who would be managing for the first time. A decision should come before the end of the week.

He also had a bone chip removed. Hoffman missed the final weekend of the season, going on the IL with forearm inflammation. It was his first absence of any sort since 2022. He’s expected to resume throwing in eight weeks and should have a normal spring training, if there happens to be a normal spring training. Barring an expensive signing, he seems like the current favorite to close for the Twins next year.