Rays look to even series in Game 4 as Nick Martinez brings dominant record against guards

Nick Martinez's 13-game scoreless streak against Cleveland this season could be key as the Tampa Bay Rays try to even their series in Game 3.

Brewers Advance to World Series! 🚨 Jeter, Papi and A-Rod Break Down HISTORIC Sweep vs Dodgers

Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Burkhart react to the Milwaukee Brewers' upset of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.

We saw the end of a dynasty on Thursday night. I think if you hate the Los Angeles Dodgers, you're happy. If you're a fan of the Little Market Club, then you're in for a treat.

Baseball is one of those things where it almost doesn't matter who's on the team. Just like in hockey, whichever team hits wins the game. We are now assured of two teams in the bottom half of the league in terms of payroll representing the league in the World Series. The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians play Game 3 on Friday night.

The Rays entered this series as the best team in the American League. The regular season saw them win 98 games and take first place in the league. They swept the New York Yankees in the ALDS and didn't even really break a sweat in that series. Now they have lost 2-1 after leading all three games. It's hard to stop games in the playoffs, but the guards seem to have the same never-say-die mentality that the Milwaukee Brewers have. Their hitting hasn't really been bad and their pitching has been strong, but the guards have been just a little bit better in both areas.

Tonight, the Rays send Nick Martinez to the mound. In the regular season, Martinez went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Those numbers were all in the top 15 in baseball. He made his first ALDS road start against New York, allowing two earned runs over 3.2 innings on five hits. The good news for Tampa fans is that Martinez has excelled against guards this season. He made two starts against Cleveland this year and has allowed seven hits and no walks in 13 scoreless innings this season. Jose Ramirez is 1-for-11 against him.

TAMPA BAY RAYS WIN GAME TWO OVER GUARDIANS THANKS TO HORRIBLE ERROR BY JOSE RAMERS, EVEN ALCS AT 1-1

The Rangers were technically the second team in the American League, but based on record, they were the bottom. Cleveland struggled in the first round, losing the first two games to the Chicago White Sox. However, they found a way to make it work, taking the final three games of the series and advancing to face the Rays. The guards' offense has been a little inconsistent in the postseason, but they've won games in a variety of ways.

Cleveland has not made a decision on who will start today. It's possible they'll send Tanner Bibee to the mound. Bibee didn't have a great season, but it wasn't terrible either. He had a 4.36 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP for the year. He has seen only one idle case for the postseason. In Guardian's 9-5 win over the Chicago White Sox, he allowed two runs and two walks.

He has gone 11 innings against the Rays this season and has allowed 4 earned runs. The numbers make me think he'll be in the starting spot if he doesn't, but the team will likely play a total of one bullpen game.

Guardians HUT DOWN RAYS BEHIND PITCHING STAFF, EPIC PETEY HALPIN BAT-Flip FOR GAME 3 WIN TO TAKE SERIES LEAD

This streak really comes down to any team that can pull off a big hit. There are a lot of runs that managers set up with their pitchers that most hitters don't. You can't expect either team to score a ton of runs, but I think Martinez should give Rays the edge starting today.

Tampa won't be facing Parker Messick, Gavin Williams or Foster Griffin in this game. I think their shot can get to the guards, and I think Martinez gives them a small advantage. Give me the Rays even in today's series.

Get all the stories you need to know from the most powerful names in news delivered to your inbox every morning.