Fans freaking out over Tyler Glasnow supporting Rays in World Series stirs up needless drama

The Tampa Bay Rays had their backs against the wall on Tuesday night, down 3-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers, who seemed primed to pull off the first World Series sweep since 2012. What resulted was a thrilling 12-inning affair where both teams used a collective 15 pitchers and emptied their benches. The Rays lived to fight another day after a Ben Williamson walk-off single.

There were a number of former Rays at Tropicana Field to cheer on their old squad, including Los Angeles Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow, sitting with former teammates Pete Fairbanks and Zach Eflin. Chris Archer and Kevin Kiermaier were also in attendance. Randy Arozarena has also been at games cheering on the Rays.

It's a credit to the Rays organization that they're still beloved by former players, many of whom were subjected to the Rays Way, and traded because the team was unwilling to re-sign or extend them. But some fans — the kind that likes to make something out of nothing — have taken exception to it.

Criticism seems to be mostly directed at Glasnow, and probably for no other reason than that he's a Dodger. Never mind that Archer works in LA's front office and Kiermaier also spent a stint with the team in 2024.

There's nothing "super weird" about this, but some people just like complaining.

Baseball fans are making way too big a deal about Tyler Glasnow cheering on the Rays in the World Series

If anything, it makes sense that Glasnow would be cheering for his former squad against the guys that kicked his current team out of the postseason.

Eflin's Baltimore Orioles and Fairbanks' Miami Marlins missed the postseason entirely. Glasnow's Dodgers just got beaten by a better team. They were at the game as fans, not because they're begging the Rays for a new contract or, in Glasnow's case, to be traded back. They were cheering their friends on, and that's that.

Maybe they brought some magic dust with them, too, because Game 4 was a thriller. After suffering a mortifying 10-1 loss to the Brewers in Game 3, it looked like Tampa Bay was truly cooked. But they reminded baseball fans why they were the best team in the American League this year.

The odds that the Brewers win this series are still overwhelming, but at least Tampa Bay isn't going down without a fight. This is just good baseball — and all of Glasnow, Eflin, and Fairbanks know it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow