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Freddy Peralta should be even happier he's no longer a Met after win
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Freddy Peralta should be even happier he's no longer a Met after leading Rays to win over Guardians in Game 2 of ALCS

Starting pitcher Freddy Peralta was a punchline in New York. He's now a headliner in Florida. 

Peralta powered the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 home win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night. He pitched six scoreless innings, striking out six batters and allowing just four hits. Tampa Bay has now evened the best-of-seven series. The postseason contest will head to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday night (TBS/truTV, 6 p.m. ET). 

Peralta pounded his chest as he exited the mound in his final inning. Consider that an emotional release from a pitcher who was once considered one of Major League Baseball's most underwhelming players.

2026 has been a long road for Freddy Peralta 

Peralta started the season with the New York Mets, who acquired him in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. The move didn't pan out for New York.

In 22 games for the National League team, two-time All-Star Peralta posted a 4.99 ERA in 113.2 innings pitched, the second-worst mark of his nine-year career. He also went 5-9 as a starter. The Mets ultimately gave up on him and sent him to the Rays before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. In Tampa Bay, he's gone from disappointment to success. 

In 10 regular-season games for Tampa, his ERA improved to 3.25 over 55.1 innings pitched, and he went 5-2 as a starter. He's been even better in the playoffs. Over his last eight outings, he's posted a stellar 0.81 ERA in 44.2 innings pitched. Clearly, he's feeding off the postseason energy.

During the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, Peralta said he was eager to start in the postseason after arriving in Tampa. He knew he wouldn't have that chance with the Mets, who finished 74-88 and missed the playoffs. 

"Very special, because since I got here I felt something I was looking for, which is the energy, the way the boys play the game," Peralta said, via MLB.com's Jake Rill. "The defense, they are amazing, the way they come into the field. The way they take their at-bats, too, it's amazing. We just need to keep it that way." 

If the Rays keep soaking it in, they may punch their ticket to the Fall Classic for the third time. If they win their first World Series, Peralta would be even more thrilled he's in the Sunshine State instead of the Big Apple. 

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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