Photo Courtesy of Hannah Walls [Tampa Bay Times]
By Andrew Johansen
The Rays have been a difficult team to beat when they find themselves inside the confines of Tropicana Field. Freddy Peralta went out on Monday night and pushed the Rays into their first World Series appearance in six years backed by a dominant fastball.
The average Major League fastball in 2026 sat just below 95 miles per hour at 94.8. Peralta’s fastball averaged approximately the same velocity. However, his fastball usage has been above average. Peralta elects to throw that pitch almost seven percent more than the rest of the league throws four-seam fastballs and sinkers combined. There is a reason for this increased usage, as Peralta has performed well this postseason. His four-seam fastball has contributed to that success.
It is hard to ignore that this is not the same Freddy Peralta that postseason baseball fans are familiar with watching. Prior to this year, Peralta managed only a 1-3 record with a 4.32 ERA in the playoffs.
The turnaround has been significant. Peralta is undefeated this postseason at 2-0, while also maintaining a 1.08 ERA. This improvement was evident in the ALCS. Getting the ball to start in Game 2, he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed four hits. A brief relief appearance in Game 4 also kept the Guardians off the board. Finally, in Game 6, Peralta worked to hold Cleveland hitters to just one run through 5.1 innings of work.
Peralta’s ability to pitch high in the strike zone with the fastball paired strongly with a frequently used changeup. Showing it off 23% of the time during the regular season, the changeup has combined nicely with the four-seam fastball into the playoffs as well. The changeup left Cleveland susceptible to chase on eye-level fastballs.
The ALCS Most Valuable Player award was handed to Freddy Peralta as the Rays punched their ticket to the World Series. Both starts in the series led to wins. An ALCS ERA of 0.75 marks significant improvements from former postseason outings pitched.
What’s next for the Rays’ right-hander and the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays? They will look to lean on Peralta once again as they sit now just four wins away from their first World Series title.
The rest of the pitching staff also contributed. Ace Drew Rasmussen holds a 1.29 ERA this postseason. Coming out of the bullpen, Cam Booser owns a perfect ERA and a WHIP below 1.00. Closer Bryan Baker has not only not given up a run, but has only allowed one hit in his late-inning performances.
The Rays now face the Milwaukee Brewers, marking the first World Series matchup since 1980 where neither team has won a World Series.