Kevin Cash curiously went against his own principles during Game 1 of the ALCS.
The Tampa Bay Rays hosted the Cleveland Guardians on Monday for the opener for their best-of-seven playoff series. Tampa Bay was largely cruising through the first six innings, taking a 2-1 lead over Cleveland at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
But the Rays manager Cash curiously decided to stick with starter Drew Rasmussen to begin the seventh inning. The bold move immediately backfired as Rasmussen allowed a game-tying home run to Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey on the very first pitch of the inning.
Patrick Bailey ties the game with a solo shot! https://t.co/U8nPaiucVO
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2026
Fans immediately piled on Cash for the decision to leave Rasmussen back in for the seventh. Take a look.
What is Kevin Cash doing? He left Rasmussen in? Wtf
— SethyG (@Gutt_Feeling) October 13, 2026
That mayyyyy have been a misstep from Kevin Cash…
— Sean Barie FOX 13 (@SeanBarieTV) October 13, 2026
Kevin Cash just blew that game for the Rays leaving Rasmussen in, what an idiot
— Travis Cannella (@TravisCannella) October 13, 2026
WHY DID YOU PUT RASS BACK IN? Damn! Big mistake Kevin Cash!
— Ladylawyer (@Ladylaw31256058) October 13, 2026
The two-time All-Star Rasmussen had struck out seven batters but had also allowed seven hits through his first six innings of work. With Rasmussen at a pitch count of 90 on the evening, that seemed like the perfect time for Cash to turn to his fully-rested bullpen.
Ironically, Cash is known for having unusually quick hooks for his starters in the playoffs (notoriously pulling his then-ace Blake Snell from a pivotal game in the 2020 World Series). But during Monday’s Game 1, Cash went too far in the opposite direction and ended up costing his team.
