That’s a good assessment.
Also, if the Rays are down a lot of runs, it makes sense to keep the struggling starter there. It saves innings for relievers, meaning you are keeping higher leverage relievers for the next game. Also, I wonder if the Rays go into the series thinking, “our goal is to take 2 out of 3. We are willing to sacrifice not going as intense in one game for the higher chances of winning the two”