Rays Force Game 5 After 12-Inning Win, But Roster Woes Loom

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings on Tuesday, cutting their World Series deficit to 3-1 and forcing a decisive Game 5. The win kept the series alive in Tampa Bay, shifting the odds of a Rays championship to 14.6% based on historical postseason data. Only 14 of the last 96 teams to trail 3-1 have completed the comeback, making Wednesday's matchup the final hurdle for the underdogs.

The path to this moment was defined by elimination threats. The Rays lost the first three games of the series, including a blowout defeat in Game 3 on Monday. Tuesday's contest extended to extra innings after both teams failed to score in the ninth through eleventh frames. The Rays broke the tie in the bottom of the 12th, securing a series that had appeared destined for a sweep.

The immediate challenge for manager Kevin Cash is determining a starting pitcher for Wednesday. Cash used seven pitchers in Game 4, including Nick Martinez, who was originally slated to start but threw two scoreless relief innings. Starter Griffin Jax threw 74 pitches and is likely unavailable. Cole Sulser, Steven Matz, and Garrett Cleavinger did not pitch on Tuesday and remain options. Bryan Baker and Kevin Kelly sat out Game 3 and are presumed ready. Ian Seymour threw 32 pitches on Tuesday, which may limit his role. Tyler Wells and Cameron Booser have pitched two days in a row. Drew Rasmussen, who started Game 2, would face a career first short-rest start after three days of rest.

Milwaukee faces less uncertainty on the mound. Jacob Misiorowski, the 24-year-old National League Cy Young favorite, will start Game 5. He threw five innings in Game 1, allowing one run and earning the win. That outing came after 11 days of rest. On Wednesday, he will work on the standard four days of rest. His velocity in Game 1 exceeded his earlier playoff starts, but he is well into career-high workload territory for the season.

The final question involves the Rays' best hitter, Junior Caminero. The 23-year-old left Game 4 in the 12th inning with a left foot injury after reaching base on a throwing error by Joey Ortiz. Cash confirmed Caminero will play on Wednesday. "He'll play tomorrow on one leg," Cash said. "I'll make sure of it."

Caminero's performance this postseason has not matched his regular season power. He has posted a .717 OPS with one home run in 48 at-bats. In the regular season, he hit 42 home runs, averaging one every 14.7 at-bats. The Rays will need that power to send the series back to Milwaukee.

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Tampa Bay. The Brewers will have the advantage of a rested rotation, while the Rays will manage a depleted bullpen. The outcome will determine whether the series travels back to Milwaukee or concludes in Florida.