4 key takeaways after Brewers win a thriller to start World Series

MILWAUKEE -- A World Series matchup between the best teams in each league figured to be tight. Game 1 certainly didn’t disappoint on Friday, with the Brewers riding their slim early advantage for all nine innings of a 3-2 win over the Rays.

Here’s some instant reaction from American Family Field:

1. Old man’s still got it
At age 34, Christian Yelich almost never plays the field anymore. His last 30-homer season came seven years ago. He’s been an All-Star just once since then.

But make no mistake: Yelich is still the beating heart of this Brewers team, as clearly signified by the captain’s patch on his shoulder.

He’s still dangerous at the plate, too. It was Yelich’s first-inning RBI triple that gave the Brewers a lead they never relinquished, and it’s Yelich who could continue to be a factor in this series going forward.

With the Rays devoid of left-handed starters, Yelich figures to continue playing every day, batting third as he did in Game 1. He has a homer in four career at-bats against Rays Game 2 starter Drew Rasmussen, and a double in three trips to the plate against Game 3 probable Freddy Peralta.

Eventually, the Rays may use their cadre of lefty relievers to force Yelich from the game, considering his significant platoon splits. In the interim, he’s going to keep getting chances to make an early impact.

2. The Rays have a whole lot riding on Game 2
Tampa Bay opened the World Series with an unconventional move, starting Nick Martinez instead of Rasmussen. The idea was to give both Rasmussen and Peralta extra days of rest heading into their Game 2 and 3 starts, so that the Rays could lean more heavily on them in those contests.

Tampa Bay’s hope was that the Rays could steal a game against Milwaukee’s ace, Jacob Misiorowski, without their own best pitcher on the mound. If that failed, they would at least have their stopper ready to go in Game 2.

That, of course, places a whole lot of pressure on Rasmussen, who must give the Rays a strong Game 2 start if they wish to turn the World Series in their favor. He believes he’s up for that challenge.

“I think where people get in trouble is they try to overcomplicate what the moment is,” Rasmussen said. “The plate is still 60 feet, six inches away. It’s a right-handed or a left-handed hitter. Every individual hitter has a scouting report. If you’ve done your homework and your preparation, you can have confidence in the pitch that you select and the pitch you’re going to attempt to execute.”

The good news for the Rays is that in addition to Rasmussen, each of their high-leverage relievers should be available. Manager Kevin Cash’s reliance on Steven Matz for five outs in Game 1 allowed the Rays to avoid placing too much stress on the rest of his bullpen.

3. Live by the steal, die by the steal
Entering the World Series, the Rays were a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen bases. They had not, however, faced a catcher as adept at neutralizing the opposing running game as William Contreras, who ranked second in the Majors with 25 runners caught stealing during the regular season. Contreras also had the highest caught stealing percentage among catchers with at least 50 opportunities (34.2%).

That could be a problem for the Rays, who led the American League with 164 stolen bases during the regular season. In fact, it already has been; the Rays ran themselves out of both the fifth and sixth innings when Contreras nabbed Victor Mesa Jr. and Jonathan Aranda attempting to steal. (They later somewhat salvaged the night with a double steal in the ninth.)

Much like the Brewers, the Rays are built on athleticism. If Milwaukee can limit their ability to change games on the basepaths, it will only increase their advantage.

4. The Brewers are about so much more than just the Miz
Yes, Misorowski set a record for the fastest World Series pitch(es) ever thrown, and yes, he held the Rays to just one run in five innings to earn Milwaukee’s first World Series win in 44 years. But Brewers manager Pat Murphy didn’t rely too heavily on Misiorowski, who threw just 78 pitches. That should set him up well to remain strong deep into the series.

Most teams wouldn’t have the luxury of limiting the probable National League Cy Young winner to that extent. The Brewers had no qualms doing so given the strength of their bullpen. After Misiorowski departed, Abner Uribe, Aaron Ashby and Trevor Megill mowed down the Rays -- though Megill had to navigate a bases-loaded, one-out jam to seal the win -- affirming the pre-series notion that their bullpen is a cut above Tampa’s.