Peter Fairbanks, Kyle Snyder Advance to World Series with Tampa Bay Rays

Spokane, Wash. - A pair of former Spokane Indians pitchers are headed to the Fall Classic after the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros in a thrilling seven-game ALCS. Reliever Peter Fairbanks ('15) and pitching coach Kyle Snyder ('99) will aim to guide the Rays to the first World Series title in franchise history when they meet the winner of the NLCS matchup between Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Fairbanks became one of Tampa Bay's most reliable relievers in 2020, appearing in 27 of 60 games with a 2.70 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 26.2 innings to earn the team's Rookie of the Year Award. The hard-throwing right-hander has made six appearances for the Rays this postseason, striking out 13 over 8.1 IP while converting three saves—including the final four outs of the ALCS. Originally a ninth-round pick out of the University of Missouri by the Texas Rangers in 2015, Fairbanks posted a 3.14 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) for the Spokane Indians that summer. He reached the majors with the Rangers in 2019 before being traded to Tampa Bay for Nick Solak.

Snyder took over as Tampa Bay's pitching coach in 2018 and has guided the Rays to three consecutive top-two finishes for ERA in the American League (the team's 3.56 ERA in 2020 trailed only the Cleveland Indians in the AL). The towering right-hander was the seventh-overall pick of the 1999 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals and was named the top prospect in the Northwest League after striking out 25 batters over 24 innings with Spokane. He reached the majors in 2003 and spend parts of five seasons with Kansas City and Boston, winning a World Series title with the Red Sox in 2007.

The Rays finished the regular season with the second-best record in baseball (40-20) before defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card Round and the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Tampa Bay has one previous World Series appearance, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in 2008. Every World Series winner since 2013 has featured at least one Indians alum, including hitting coach Kevin Long ('99) with the Washington Nationals last year.

About the Spokane Indians - The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class "A" affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is available for online orders and curbside pickup.