What happened: Nick Martinez, who drew the Game 4 start for the Rays on Oct. 16, takes the mound first in the 2026 Fall Classic, per Bob Nightengale. He credited his strong 2026 campaign to a more aggressive pitching approach in August while earning praise as the team's clubhouse glue.

Why it matters: Tabbing Martinez for the opener sets Tampa Bay's rotation sequence for the championship round, slotting the club's remaining starters into Games 2 and 3. Taking the ball in Game 1 also lines him up to return on regular rest later in the series if the matchup extends deep into the schedule.

What to watch: Tampa Bay will finalize its active World Series roster and announce its Game 2 and Game 3 starters ahead of the series opener.