The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series for the third time in franchise history after beating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in ALCS Game 6, and Rick says he's never been around a team that surprised him more. Steve was at the Trop and takes Rick through the moment Junior Caminero's home run (off Cade Smith's splitter, the first homer Smith has allowed on that pitch in 884 thrown, down the line off the foul pole) made it 5-1 and turned the building into a party. They laugh about his 38.66-second home run trot, his stop at home plate to point at Randy Arozarena in the crowd and strike the "Randy pose," and the way Andy Freed said it was "out counting time" on the radio. Then things got dicey: Tyler Wells walked a run in and hit a batter to make it 5-3 with the bases loaded, before Kevin Kelly shut the door, and Yandy Diaz's home run in the bottom of the eighth put it away. They also salute Taylor Walls' smart double play, Richie Palacios (the team leader with 35 two-out RBIs this season), and ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta, who allowed one earned run in 12 innings in the series. Rick is convinced the Guardians hit Diaz on purpose after his guarantee comments, and Steve questions the decision in an elimination game.
The guys look ahead to a Brewers series they both think will be a joy to watch: two teams that win with pitching, defense, contact, and moving runners, the first World Series since 1980 between two franchises that have never won it, and a matchup between the two best teams in baseball. They go through the Rays' improbable path, from DraftKings' preseason win total of 77 or 78 to a 3.2 percent chance at the ALCS from FanGraphs, plus the fact that 17 of the 26 players in the dugout Monday were acquired in trades and only four (Aranda, Seymour, Simpson, and Walls) were originally signed or drafted by the Rays. They sort out the World Series pitching order (Peralta can't pitch Game 1 on short rest, and Steve likes Nick Martinez, then Drew Rasmussen, then Peralta), talk about the new ownership group and Stu Sternberg, and discuss Aaron Boone returning for a tenth season with the Yankees, Cade Smith's tie with Brian Baker for the league lead in saves, and a boat parade for St. Petersburg.
At the end, the hosts turn to a few other topics: the 49ers beat the Commanders to go 6-0, but Mike Evans left with an Achilles injury; Jalon Daniels' fourth-down throwaway in the red zone; Baker Mayfield practicing Wednesday while Todd Bowles stays noncommittal about the starter; and the Lightning playing late tonight in Vegas, with puck drop at 10:45.
Segments:
- Rays beat the Guardians 7-3 to win the ALCS
- Caminero's home run and the Randy Arozarena pose
- A shaky eighth: Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly, and Yandy Diaz's knockout homer
- Taylor Walls' glove, Richie Palacios' clutch hitting, and Freddy Peralta's MVP series
- Why Cleveland ran out of pitching and who delivered for the Rays
- World Series preview: Rays vs. Brewers and the rotation order
- How the Rays built this team: trades, Kyle Snyder's coaching, and long odds
- Memories of the 2008 World Series and Rich McKay's advice
- Aaron Boone's return and the New York reaction
- Boat parade, the Rowdies' title, and Dave Wills
- 49ers beat the Commanders; Mike Evans injured
- Bucs QB outlook and the Lightning in Vegas
- Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza
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