Kevin Cash's Bold Pitching Decision Could Change Everything for Rays in ALCS

The Tampa Bay Rays have evened the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians following Saturday's 7-3 victory at Progressive Field.

And while Tampa Bay's offense finally delivered the performance fans had been waiting for, I think Kevin Cash deserves some recognition for how he handled his pitching staff.

Especially considering the circumstances surrounding Game 4.

Following Friday's postponement due to rain, Cash had an opportunity to change his starting rotation and move Drew Rasmussen up to Saturday.

However, he stuck with Nick Martinez.

And that decision paid off.

Martinez threw 5.1 innings, allowing just one earned run while keeping Cleveland's offense in check.

It was exactly what Tampa Bay needed from the veteran right-hander.

Especially after Cash's decision to start Griffin Jax in Game 3 didn't work out.

But what happened after Martinez left the game might have been even more interesting.

Cash turned to Freddy Peralta out of the bullpen.

Yes, the same Peralta who has been one of Tampa Bay's most dependable starting pitchers throughout the final month of the regular season and into October.

Peralta wasn't originally expected to be used in that situation, but with Tampa Bay fighting to even the series, Cash chose one of his best available arms.

That's the type of approach I want to see throughout the remainder of the postseason.

However, there are still some concerns about Tampa Bay's bullpen.

Ian Seymour allowed a home run Saturday, while Bryan Baker's velocity was reportedly down from his normal numbers.

Cam Booser delivered an important strikeout, but the Rays cannot expect every reliever to consistently get the job done.

And that makes Sunday's Game 5 even more important.

Drew Rasmussen will get another opportunity against Cleveland after delivering a quality start in Game 1.

Unfortunately, Tampa Bay couldn't capitalize on that performance and eventually fell 7-3.

The Rays cannot afford to waste another Rasmussen start.

Especially with the series tied 2-2 and the opportunity to return to Tropicana Field needing just one more victory to reach the World Series.

And with potentially three games remaining on consecutive days, Tampa Bay needs Rasmussen to provide as many quality innings as possible.

Six or seven innings would certainly help take some pressure off a bullpen that has already been asked to do plenty throughout this series.

Of course, Cash will still have some difficult decisions to make.

But Saturday showed he's willing to get creative with his pitching staff when the situation calls for it.

The Rays are now just two victories away from reaching the World Series.

And if Cash continues making aggressive decisions while getting quality performances from his starting pitchers, Tampa Bay has a legitimate opportunity to finish the job.