If Rays fans were looking for an easy, stress-free first game, then sorry to tell you, folks, this is not the Championship Series you are looking for. Blood pressure will be sky-high for the next four-to-seven days, and this first game was just an aperitif of what we have waiting for us.
Blake Snell took the Bump Day nod for the first game against the Houston Astros in the ALCS (sorry, I know you know what we’re watching, but I get a lot of joy out of writing a recap for the Rays being in the ALCS). He was up against Framber Valdez, and a healthy Astros lineup with a massive chip in their shoulder.