TB rotation vs. NYY: Snell, Glasnow, Morton

After sweeping the Blue Jays in the Wild Card round, the Rays enter the American League Division Series against the Yankees with a ton of confidence. Now, they know who will toe the rubber in the first three games.

On Saturday, manager Kevin Cash made it official: Blake Snell will get the Game 1 start on Monday against Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow will get the ball in Game 2 on Tuesday and Charlie Morton will start Game 3 on Wednesday.

“We felt that it was important to do what we could to keep Blake and Tyler in somewhat of a normal routine,” Cash said. “We’re able to accomplish that.”

Snell, who has been the Rays’ most consistent starter this season, was dominant in his Game 1 start in the Wild Card Series. He threw 5 2/3 shutout innings in a 3-1 win and didn’t allow a base hit until Alejandro Kirk slapped a single the other way in the sixth inning.

Slotting Snell in Game 1 guarantees the left-hander five full days of rest, which has been beneficial for him this season. In similar situations, Snell is 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA in six starts. On four days’ rest, he is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in three starts.

Snell has made two starts against the Yankees this season, going 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA and eight strikeouts in eight innings. The right-hander Glasnow made three starts against New York this season, going 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

The decision to start Snell and Glasnow in the first two games also gives the Rays added flexibility for Game 5, if the series reaches that point. With no off-days in this round, having starters be able to bounce back for possible relief work in a Game 5 becomes crucial.

“We’ll factor all of those thoughts into it, but going with Blake and Tyler as the top two, you’d like to think we’ll have them somewhat available for those games,” Cash said. “But we have to see how we get there first. But Blake, I would think, if we can manage the workload and do everything the right way, he should be able to bounce back and help us if needed for a fifth game.”

As for Morton, the decision to slot him in Game 3 on Wednesday means the right-hander will go 12 days between starts. His last start was on Sept. 25, when he allowed three runs over five innings against the Phillies. Morton will find ways to stay sharp over the next few days, but Cash believes the extra rest will benefit the 36-year-old.

“I personally don’t feel the extra rest is going to be a negative,” Cash said. “I think it’s going to be a positive for him, and then we’ll see where we get after three ballgames and go from there.”

The decision for Games 4 and 5 will depend on a couple of things. The roster construction will play a major role, especially whether the Rays decide to go with 14 or 15 pitchers compared with the 13 they carried in the Wild Card Series. With the ALDS being a best-of-five series, having at least 14 pitchers on the staff is expected, and that will include Ryan Yarbrough and Josh Fleming, who likely will provide bulk innings in those games. Other factors will include pitcher availability and whether the Rays are ahead or behind in the series.

Meadows continues to progress
Outfielder Austin Meadows continues his recovery from a Grade 2 left oblique strain, and his possible return could influence how the Rays set their roster. Meadows, who last played Sept. 17, took batting practice and went through outfield work on Saturday. He also faced live pitching, including José Alvarado, who is recovering from a lat/back strain.

Meadows will take batting practice again on Sunday, and then the Rays have a decision to make before the deadline to set the roster at 1 p.m. ET on Monday. If Meadows is on the roster, the Rays will have to decide between carrying an extra position player and sacrificing an arm or swap him out for another outfielder, with Brett Phillips being a possibility.