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Drew Rasmussen Allows Two Homers in Otherwise Strong Start
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on eight hits (two home runs) while walking none and striking out seven in six innings pitched in a no-decision on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians in a 7-3 loss in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Rasmussen was not quite as good as he was in his start in the AL Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees, when he tossed eight shutout innings with just one hit and 10 strikeouts, but he did enough to put the Rays in position to take the first game of the best-of-seven series. Rasmussen allowed solo shots to outfielder Chase DeLauter in the sixth inning and to catcher Patrick Bailey in the seventh inning. He has been great for Tampa in his two starts so far this postseason, posting a 1.29 ERA with 17 strikeouts and only two walks in 14 innings. Rasmussen has only made five playoff appearances in his career, but he has allowed only five earned runs with two walks and 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Freddy Peralta to Start Game 2 of ALCS Against Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Freddy Peralta will start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night, with "the rest of the guys on call" out of the bullpen, according to Rays reporter Ryan Bass. Peralta will try to keep the Rays from falling into a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler allowed an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the division-rival New York Yankees in Game 2 of the AL Division Series, and he has a 4.03 ERA (4.76 FIP) and a 44:14 K:BB in 38 career postseason innings. Peralta went 10-11 overall in 2026 with the Rays and New York Mets, posting a 4.42 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 156 strikeouts in 169 innings across 32 starts. He was a little better in Tampa, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:15 K:BB in his 10 regular-season starts. Peralta did not face Cleveland at all during the regular season.
Source: Ryan Bass
Source: Ryan Bass
Shane McClanahan Won't Return in the Postseason
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) will not pitch during the rest of the postseason for the Rays, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. McClanahan, who returned from Tommy John surgery in 2026, but his season ended prematurely in early September due to left-elbow soreness. He also landed on the injured list during the regular season with a back injury, so he was not able to avoid the injury bug. The good news for Rays fans is that McClanahan pitched well when he was in the starting rotation, going 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks in 118 innings across his 24 starts. The priority for the Rays is having McClanahan fully healthy for the start of the 2027 season. If McClanahan can avoid any further arm injuries, he could return to ace status in fantasy baseball. Before having Tommy John surgery in 2024, McClanahan made back-to-back All-Star teams and had 315 strikeouts and 79 walks in 281 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Drew Rasmussen Starting Game 1 of ALCS Against Cleveland
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will make the start in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at home against the Cleveland Guardians, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. This was the expected move for the Rays after they finished off a three-game sweep of the division-rival New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. The 31-year-old veteran threw a gem in his outing against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS, going eight shutout innings with one hit allowed, two walks, and 10 strikeouts. Rasmussen has appeared in four postseason games (two starts) and has been excellent, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out 15 in 12 2/3 innings pitched. The Rays are hoping that Rasmussen will continue to pitch well in the playoffs and against the Guardians this year. He made two starts against them during the regular season and went 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and two walks in 12 innings pitched. Rasmussen went 9-3 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 86 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 84 2/3 innings over his 15 starts at home during the regular season.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Bryan Baker Notches Third Postseason Save to Send Rays to ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker shut the door in his team's 4-3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts. Baker was a key part of Tampa Bay's three-game sweep of New York, logging saves in all three games while allowing just one baserunner to reach. The 31-year-old emerged as one of the best closers in baseball during the regular season, recording a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 41 saves across 62 1/3 innings (65 games). Heading into the American League Championship Series, Baker's dominance at the end of games gives Tampa Bay a significant advantage if it can get an early lead on its opponents.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Victor Mesa Jr. Homers in ALDS-Clinching Win
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. was one of the stars of his team's 4-3 win in Game 3 of the American League Division Series over the New York Yankees, hitting a two-run home run off Yankees left-hander Max Fried. Mesa Jr.'s home run was his only hit of the night, but it gave the Rays a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning that they would ultimately never give back. Across 262 plate appearances in the regular season, Mesa Jr. hit .260/.327/.498 with 14 home runs, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. After starting the year in the minors, the 25-year-old has emerged as an everyday corner outfielder for Tampa Bay and provides another dynamic power/speed bat for the Rays. If Mesa Jr. can get hot, he could help power a deep postseason run.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Nick Martinez to Start for Rays in Game 3 of ALDS
The Tampa Bay Rays are planning to start right-hander Nick Martinez in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday on the road against the division-rival New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He will be opposed by veteran southpaw Max Fried. Martinez will be looking to put the nail in the coffin as the Rays look for a three-game sweep in the best-of-five series. The 36-year-old veteran will be making his first postseason start this year for Tampa after going 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts in 180 innings pitched over his 31 starts. He only went 2 2/3 frames in his final regular-season start on Sept. 27 at the Philadelphia Phillies, when he allowed four earned runs on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Martinez knows the Yankees well, having faced them three times already this year. He was strong against the Bombers, posting a 2.16 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and five walks in 16 2/3 innings pitched. In 11 1/3 career postseason innings (one start), Martinez has allowed five runs (four earned) with two walks, 11 strikeouts, one loss, and three holds.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Freddy Peralta Solid In Start For Rays
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Freddy Peralta was effective in Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees on Monday but did not factor in the decision in the 5-2 Rays' win. Peralta was good from the beginning of the game, allowing only a solo home run to Ben Rice and pitching 4 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Peralta handed the game over to three Tampa Bay relievers who were able to shut down the Yankees and give the Rays a commanding 2-0 ALDS lead. After coming over to the Rays in the trade deadline from the Mets, Peralta pitched 10 games for the Rays in the regular season, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.01 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander will be a key starter for the Rays if they are to make a long postseason run.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Richie Palacios Knocks In Two Runs With Clutch Single
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Richie Palacios delivered with a two-out, two-RBI single in the team's 5-2 win over the New York Yankees on Monday. Palacios came up with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning and Chandler Simpson and Jonny DeLuca on base. He executed a key single that drove both in and gave the Rays a 5-1 lead before Ben Rice added his second solo home run of the game for the Yankees. Palacios was 1-for-4 in the game with a strikeout but is now hitting .286 through two postseason games. Although the Yankees played a sloppy game with four errors and the Rays took advantage, Palacios' hit was the big blow in the game, extending the Rays' advantage and giving them some breathing room the rest of the way.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bryan Baker Pitches Flawless Ninth For The Save
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the postseason in the team's 5-2 win over the New York Yankees on Monday night. Baker came on with a three-run lead and quickly induced three ground balls to preserve the Rays second win of the series for a 2-0 ALDS lead. Baker did not strike out a batter, but left little to doubt after he gave up three ground balls to the right side of the infield. Baker also pitched a scoreless ninth in the Rays' 1-0 win in Game 1 on Saturday. In that game he struck out two Yankees batters. Baker turned in a dominant regular season with 41 saves and a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. The right-hander looks to be a major weapon moving forward for the Rays in the postseason.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jonathan Aranda Hits Decisive Home Run in Game 1 of ALDS on Saturday
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda had the biggest hit of his team's 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday, slugging a solo home run off Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole in the third inning. It was Aranda's lone hit of the night, but it proved to be the difference in a pitcher's duel. The 28-year-old was a steady presence at the top of the Rays' order during the regular season, hitting .274/.358/.434 with 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 668 plate appearances. He had one of his better power months to close the year, hitting five home runs in just 85 plate appearances in September. If Aranda can stay hot in October, he could be an X-factor for Tampa Bay.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Drew Rasmussen Flirts with No-Hitter in Game 1 Gem
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen dominated the New York Yankees in his team's 1-0 victory in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Rasmussen took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished his night by allowing just one hit and two walks while recording 10 strikeouts across eight shutout frames. Rasmussen was one of the best pitchers in baseball in the regular season, recording a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts across 172 innings (30 starts). He also pitched extremely well against the Yankees, recording a 2.86 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 22 innings (four starts). Rasmussen would likely get the ball for a second time in the series in Game 4 if the Yankees can take one of the next two games.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Griffin Jax Suffers Back Contusion on Saturday
The Tampa Bay Rays are saying that right-hander Griffin Jax (back) was removed from his appearance in Saturday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies due to a lower-back contusion, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Jax only made it three innings during his start at Citizens Bank Park, but he did not allow a run while giving up only two hits, walking none, and striking out one batter to lower his season ERA to 3.53. The 31-year-old veteran took a 104 mph liner off the bat of shortstop Trea Turner off his back in the third inning, and the Rays were not going to take any chances with Griffin. Manager Kevin Cash and Jax said after the game that he is not expected to miss any time, which means he should be available for the start of the American League Division Series against an undetermined opponent on Oct. 3. Jax finishes his first full season in Tampa with an 8-10 record, 3.53 ERA (3.76 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with a career-high 116 strikeouts and 35 walks in 112 1/3 innings across 34 outings (23 starts). He began the 2026 season as Tampa's primary ninth-inning arm before making a successful transition to the rotation.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Chandler Simpson Unlikely to Play Until ALDS
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) said on Saturday afternoon that his right foot was "just a little sore" from Friday's foul ball, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson did not play in the team's win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday and likely will not play in the regular-season finale on Sunday "to take precautions." He is fully confident that he will be good to go for the American League Division Series opener on Oct. 3. The Rays pulled the 25-year-old speedster from Friday's game early after he fouled a ball off his foot in the sixth inning. Simpson will end his 2026 season with a strong .306/.333/.356 slash line with a .689 OPS, zero home runs, 38 RBI, a league-leading 46 stolen bases, and 66 runs scored in 151 games played across 612 plate appearances in only his second season in the majors. Hopefully for the Rays, Simpson's foot injury does not impact his ability to run once the ALDS kicks off late next week.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Chandler Simpson Sitting Out With Foot Injury
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) is not in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game in Philadelphia against the Phillies, per MLB.com. Victor Mesa Jr. is starting in left field for the Rays and is batting fifth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. The Rays are being cautious with the speedster, giving him a day off in Game 2 of the series at Citizens Bank Park after Simpson fouled a ball off his right foot during the win on Friday night. The Rays already have a first-round bye locked up in the American League, so Simpson will have plenty of time to heal before the start of the AL Division Series. If the 25-year-old does not play in the regular-season finale on Sunday, he will finish his second big-league season in 2026 with a very nice .306/.333/.356 slash line, .689 OPS, zero home runs, 38 RBI, and 66 runs scored across 151 games and 612 plate appearances. Simpson has no power to speak of, but he leads the league with 46 stolen bases after swiping 44 bags as a rookie in 2025. His speed in the outfield and on the basepaths is a game-changer for the first-place Rays.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
