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'Just a reliever'? Peralta's two huge outs help Rays even ALCS

Freddy Peralta, a two-time All-Star who typically starts for the Tampa Bay Rays, stepped into a relief role in Game 4 of the ALCS to help secure a 7-3 victory over Cleveland. Entering in the sixth inning with a runner on base and one out, Peralta recorded two crucial outs to preserve Tampa Bay’s one-run lead, earning praise from teammate Nick Martinez, who called him a game-saver.

The move came after Peralta had started Game 2 of the series, pitching six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win, and is now slated to start Game 6 on Monday night at Tropicana Field, ensuring a decisive matchup in the championship clash.

Peralta’s return to relief work highlighted his versatility and team-first mentality, a trait noted by catcher Liam Hicks. Though he hadn’t pitched in relief regularly since his Brewers days—particularly in 2019 and 2020, when 45 of his 54 appearances were out of the bullpen—he leaned on past experience to deliver under pressure.

The Rays’ coaching staff had prepared him for such a scenario, adjusting his bullpen session to a live, high-stakes environment where he threw with greater intensity than usual, including pitches exceeding 88 mph.

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