What a difference a few months have made for Freddy Peralta. Prior to the trade deadline, he was a struggling pitcher who performed to the tune of a 4.99 ERA with the New York Mets following a blockbuster offseason trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. After the Tampa Bay Rays acquired him, he seems to have found a new lease in life — culminating in this incredible postseason achievement.

Peralta, who started Game 6 of the ALCS between the Rays and the Cleveland Guardians, ended up having another brilliant outing. He allowed just one earned run in 5.1 innings of work. This comes just two days after he appeared in relief, getting two outs for Tampa Bay in a crucial Game 4 victory. As a result, the Rays' trade deadline acquisition earned ALCS MVP honors for being a reliable force on their way to a World Series berth.

The 30-year-old starting pitcher also took the mound for Game 2 of the ALCS, recording six innings of shutout baseball. In three appearances in the ALCS, Peralta recorded an ERA of 0.75 in 12.0 innings — with the Rays winning in all three games he pitched in.

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This is a continuation of the improvements Peralta has shown ever since the Rays brought him in at the deadline. He has not allowed more than one earned run in any appearance since the 27th of August, spanning a total of 10 appearances (nine starts). In 14 total appearances for the Rays thus far (regular season and postseason combined), Peralta has put up a sterling ERA of 2.75 in 72.0 innings — a stunning return to form.

But the emotional rollercoaster for Peralta is only about to get wilder. The Rays will be facing his former team, the Brewers, in the World Series; Peralta spent the first eight seasons of his MLB career in Milwaukee, so he is at least going to be a bit familiar with those standing in the way of his quest to win his and the Rays' first World Series title.