RADIO
Rays Exercise 2027 Option on Drew Rasmussen
The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Saturday that they exercised their $20 million 2027 option on right-hander Drew Rasmussen, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen's option went from $8 million to $20 million for next year after he made 30 starts during the regular season and spent fewer than 45 days on the injured list. It was a successful season for the 31-year-old, who has a lengthy history of arm injuries. Despite the increase in the value of his 2027 option, the Rays will bring Rasmussen back after he went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA (2.82 FIP) and a league-leading 0.91 WHIP with a career-high 174 strikeouts and 32 walks in 172 innings pitched across his 30 regular-season starts. It was his second straight season making the All-Star team at the top of Tampa's starting rotation. Rasmussen kept it going in the postseason to help the Rays reach the World Series, where they were defeated in five games by the Milwaukee Brewers. In five starts during the playoffs, he allowed seven earned runs (2.20 ERA) and 21 hits (two homers) with only five walks and 21 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Nick Martinez Declines his 2027 Mutual Option With Rays
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez declined his $20 million mutual option for the 2027 season to become a free agent this winter, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Martinez will instead take a $4 million buyout and enter the open market. The 36-year-old veteran unsurprisingly will be looking for a new team to play for in 2027 and beyond after making his first All-Star team in 2026 and helping the Rays advance to the World Series, where they lost in five games to the Milwaukee Brewers. In 31 starts for Tampa this year, Martinez went 15-6 with a strong 3.10 ERA (3.96 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 109 strikeouts and 26 walks in a career-high 180 innings pitched during the regular season. It was the first time in his nine-year MLB career that Martinez made all of his appearances in a starting role. Despite his age, Martinez should have some multi-year offers after his impressive year for the Rays, but it will also depend on whether interested teams view him as more of a reliever as he nears the end of his career.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Drew Rasmussen Making Game 5 Start for Rays on Wednesday
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will start Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen will look to bounce back in his second start against the Brewers in this year's Fall Classic after allowing three earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four in just 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision in Game 2 in Milwaukee on Saturday. The 31-year-old veteran was very sharp in the postseason this October before his start against the Brew Crew last weekend, allowing only three earned runs on 13 hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out 23 in 21 innings in two starts against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series and one start in the AL Division Series versus the New York Yankees. If he pitches like he did in the first three playoff games and his 30 regular-season starts, the Rays will have a great shot at forcing a Game 6 back in Milwaukee on Friday night. Rasmussen was lights-out in 2026, going 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts in 172 innings pitched.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Griffin Jax to Start Game 4 of World Series
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax will make the start for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night as the Rays try to avoid being swept in four games in the best-of-seven series, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 31-year-old veteran will have a tall task against a Brewers team that banged out 16 hits in their 10-1 win over Tampa in Game 3 of the series at Tropicana Field on Monday night. On top of that, Jax has not been very effective in two postseason appearances (one start) this year, allowing four earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out six in six innings pitched against the division-rival New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Championship Series. Jax faced the Brewers twice in a relief role at the beginning of the 2026 season and was hit around, allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits while walking one and striking out one in just one inning pitched out of the bullpen. It goes without saying that Jax will be on a short leash early in Game 4 in a must-win game if he is not effective.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Drew Rasmussen Stumbles for First Time This Postseason
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen went into Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night against the hosting Milwaukee Brewers, having allowed only three earned runs with 23 strikeouts and only three walks in his first three starts of the postseason against the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians (twice). Rasmussen was unable to slow down the red-hot Brewers, allowing three earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four in just 3 2/3 innings pitched for a no-decision. It was even more disappointing for the 31-year-old veteran after the Rays gave him a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Rasmussen gave two of those runs back immediately in the bottom of the first inning and was yanked with two outs in the fourth inning. He will be hoping to put this outing behind him if the World Series makes it to a Game 6, which would be back in Milwaukee. Rasmussen made his second straight All-Star squad in 2026 and was excellent during the regular season as well, going 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA, a league-best 0.91 WHIP, and a 174:32 K:BB in 172 innings in 30 starts. His 174 strikeouts were a new career high.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Martinez to Start Game 1 of World Series Against Brewers
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez will make the start in Game 1 of the World Series on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Starting Martinez in Game 1 of the World Series will allow Tampa to push back their top two starters, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta. It will be Martinez's third road outing this postseason. In starts against the division-rival New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and against the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Championship Series, Martinez allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out six in nine innings pitched. The 36-year-old veteran was better on the road during the regular season, too, posting a 2.38 ERA with 55 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 94 2/3 innings. Martinez faced the Brewers on the road in his first start of the season on March 30, allowing two earned runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings for a no-decision. The veteran hurler has been solid in 20 1/3 career playoff innings, going 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 17 strikeouts, five walks, and three holds.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Rays Have Options to Start Game 1 of World Series
The Tampa Bay Rays have an obvious choice for a World Series Game 1 starter against the Milwaukee Brewers in right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who has led the rotation in the past two series. But The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal believes the Rays, like they often do, should stray from the conventional and choose Nick Martinez in Game 1, Rasmussen in Game 2, and Freddy Peralta in Game 3. In his article, Rosenthal argues that Rasmussen would then pitch on five days of rest instead of four, Martinez, who has pitched well on the road this postseason, will match up well on the road with Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, and Peralta wouldn't have to deal with the added pressure of pitching at his former home park in Milwaukee. The Rays have plenty of ways they could structure their pitching rotation for the World Series, but starting Nick Martinez in Game 1 would be a "plot twist" we are used to seeing from the Rays.
Source: Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Source: Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Freddy Peralta Named ALCS MVP After Another Strong Start
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta was named the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after helping the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of the series in Tampa on Monday night. In the 7-3 win at Tropicana Field, Peralta continued to be excellent in the postseason, allowing just one earned run on five hits while walking three and striking out three in 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win and send his team to the World Series to face the Milwaukee Brewers. It was Peralta's second win of the ALCS after he struck out six in six scoreless innings for a win in Game 2 against Cleveland. The Rays also used Peralta out of the bullpen in Game 4, when he went two-thirds of an inning without giving up a run. Tampa will be hoping that the 30-year-old veteran from the Dominican Republic can keep it up into the World Series as he gets set to face his former team. Peralta went 10-11 overall in 2026 with a 4.42 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 32 starts, but he was better in 10 regular-season starts with the Rays, posting a 3.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:15 K:BB. He faced Milwaukee on July 20, when he was still with the New York Mets and was hit hard, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched for his ninth loss of the season.
Source: MLB
Source: MLB
Freddy Peralta Starting Game 6 of ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta will start Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday back in Tampa against the Cleveland Guardians on a short turnaround after the Rays won Game 5 of the series in Cleveland on Sunday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Peralta will be looking for more of the same after he picked up the win in Game 2 against Cleveland by tossing six shutout innings with six strikeouts. In three postseason appearances (two starts) this year, Peralta has been money for the Rays, allowing just one earned run on seven hits (one homer) while walking four and striking out nine in 11 1/3 innings pitched for a win and a hold. He threw two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the ALCS in Cleveland. The veteran hurler did not face the Guardians at all during the regular season, going 10-11 on the year with a 4.42 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 169 innings pitched over his 32 starts with the Rays and New York Mets. Peralta was better in his 10 regular-season starts with Tampa, posting a 3.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:15 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Drew Rasmussen Pitches Rays to Within One Win of the World Series
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen came through for his team with a gem in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. The 31-year-old allowed just four hits, one walk, and one earned run while striking out six across seven innings of work in Tampa Bay's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Rasmussen had an excellent regular season for the Rays, recording a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts across 172 innings (30 starts). He's been even better across his three starts so far this postseason, allowing just 13 hits, three walks, and three earned runs while striking out 23 across 21 innings pitched. Thanks to Rasmussen's efforts in Game 5, Tampa Bay now holds a 3-2 series lead over Cleveland and will have a chance to advance to the World Series with a win in Game 6 on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Nick Martinez Helps Rays Even the ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez picked up the win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night in the 7-3 victory in Cleveland over the Guardians. Martinez allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking two and striking out three in 5 1/3 innings of work. After Game 4 was originally postponed on Friday night due to inclement weather, the ALCS is tied at two games apiece. Martinez, who had thrown 13 scoreless innings against the Guardians this season, was in full control of his game, with the only damage against him coming on a Chase DeLauter RBI single in the first inning. Tampa will trot right-hander Drew Rasmussen out for Game 5 of the series on Sunday at Progressive Field, and he will be opposed by Guardians lefty Parker Messick. Martinez now has a 3.00 ERA with three walks and six strikeouts in nine innings in his first two postseason starts this fall. In 10 total playoff appearances in his career, Martinez holds a 3.10 ERA with five walks and 17 strikeouts in 20 1/3 frames.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Martinez Starting Game 4 of ALCS on Friday
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez will get the nod for the Rays in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night in Cleveland against the Guardians as the Rays look to even the series at two games apiece, according to MLB.com. He will be opposed by opener Shawn Armstrong for Cleveland. The 36-year-old veteran allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out three in 3 2/3 innings for a no-decision in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees on Oct. 7. Martinez will be pitching on eight days of rest on Friday night in Cleveland against a Guardians team that he faced two times during the regular season. He went 2-0 against them and threw 13 shutout innings in two starts while allowing seven hits, walking one, and striking out nine. The Rays are certainly hoping that Martinez can continue to keep Cleveland's offense off balance in his third start against them in 2026. The nine-year veteran went 15-6 in his first season with Tampa, posting a strong 3.10 ERA (3.96 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 109:26 K: BB in 180 innings across 31 starts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Griffin Jax to Start Game 3 of ALCS in Cleveland
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax will start for the Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday in Cleveland against the Guardians, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Jax will toe the rubber for Tampa back in Cleveland with the series now tied 1-1 after the Rays outlasted the Guardians in Game 2 on Tuesday night. He will be making his first career postseason start after five relief appearances for the Rays, dating back to 2023. In his lone appearance this October for Tampa, Jax allowed an earned run on one hit while walking one and striking out four in two innings of work for a hold in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees. The 31-year-old veteran began the 2026 campaign as a reliever for Tampa before being moved to a starting role mostly. He went 8-10 on the year with a 3.53 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings pitched across 34 outings (23 starts). Jax did not have a single appearance during the regular season against the Guardians.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Freddy Peralta Pitches Gem In Game 2 Win Over Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta threw six shutout innings on Tuesday night and kept the Cleveland Guardians in check on the way to evening up the ALCS at 1-1. Peralta scattered four hits and walked two, but struck out six batters in holding Cleveland off the scoreboard during his six innings of work. The talented right-hander threw 99 total pitches with 68 for strikes. Peralta then gave way to three Rays relievers in the 3-1 defeat of the Guardians. Peralta mixed his electric fastball with his dynamic changeup to keep the Cleveland hitters off balance and give the Rays their first win of the ALCS.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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
