wfla
Freddy Peralta's overpowering fastball earned him the American League Championship Series MVP award, as the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their third AL pennant. Acquired from the New York Mets before the trade deadline, Peralta revitalized his season in Tampa Bay and became a key contributor to the team's success.
In the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, Peralta posted a 2-0 record with a 0.75 ERA over three appearances, including two starts. His performance earned him the nickname 'Fastball Freddy' from Rays manager Kevin Cash, who announced the award on the postgame stage at Tropicana Field.
"This is crazy," Peralta said. "I'm very happy to be here and grateful to be here because when I was in July, I had no idea where I was going to be. I think that this was the right place."
Cash praised Peralta's velocity and composure. "His velocity was so high out of the gate, you were wondering how much he was going to be able to maintain it," Cash said. "But I also think that might have been because of the inning that he pitched in Game 4, coming in and getting some big outs. But couldn't be more impressed with the way he continued to take deep breaths and just make pitch after pitch for us."
Peralta relied heavily on his four-seam fastball throughout the series. He allowed one run and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in Monday night's 7-3 win. The two-time All-Star also threw six scoreless innings in Game 2 and recorded two crucial outs in relief in Game 4.
Now, Peralta will face his first major league team in the World Series. The right-hander spent eight seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA last year. However, with free agency looming, the Brewers traded him to the Mets in January.
"Amazing, because Milwaukee is a team and a city that gave me the opportunity to make my dream, and also Milwaukee is going to be always in my heart," Peralta said. "But this is a time to compete .. and excited to go."
Peralta went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts for New York before being traded to Tampa Bay on Aug. 2. He was 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts for the Rays and was named AL pitcher of the month for September. Including the regular season, Peralta has made 10 consecutive appearances allowing one run or fewer, with his team winning all 10 games.
"When I got here, everything changed," Peralta said. "I remember when I (got) to the clubhouse, we were in Colorado playing against the Rockies, and as soon as I stepped in the dugout in the first inning, I felt the vibes. I felt something different. And I think that's why we're here now."
Peralta credits pitching coach Kyle Snyder, bullpen coach Jorge Moncada, and bullpen catcher Charlie Valerio for his turnaround. "They helped me a lot," he said. "I can't thank them enough because the way that they helped me is amazing, something I'm never going to forget in life. I'm very grateful to have people like that here, people that I never saw before and now they are part of my family."
Even after celebrating with his teammates, Peralta remained in disbelief about winning the ALCS MVP award. "It's unbelievable," he said. "I think I have to see it when I go home tonight and start thinking about it, because I still am in shock because I don't believe — I believe it because it's here and it was announced already and I talked. But I never think about it. Even in the moment, it surprised me because I thought it was going to be somebody else because there's a lot of talent, a lot of players that did a great job. And I think it could be anybody."
Key Analysis
Peralta's acquisition proved to be a pivotal move for the Rays, as his stellar performance in the ALCS underscored his value. His ability to maintain high velocity and deliver in crucial moments has been a hallmark of his postseason run. With the World Series looming, Peralta's familiarity with the Brewers adds an intriguing narrative layer to the matchup. His turnaround in Tampa Bay, credited to the coaching staff, highlights the impact of a supportive environment on player performance.
Originally reported by wfla.