Tampa Bay Rays News

EAST

Freddy Peralta • SP • Rays

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.

15 hours ago

Chandler Simpson • LF • Rays

Chandler Simpson Has Productive Game 5

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson showed off his skills in the team's 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS on Sunday. Simpson was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a single, a stolen base, and a run scored. Simpson showed off his speed and how much of a threat he is in the run game with his second stolen base of the postseason. The speedster had 46 stolen bases during the regular season. Simpson is hitting just .238 in the postseason, but he had a nice game in Game 5 and will look to build on that back home as the Rays try to put away the Guardians and make the World Series in Game 6 at Tampa Bay.

19 hours ago

Jonathan Aranda • 1B • Rays

Jonathan Aranda Continues Strong Postseason in ALCS Game 5 Win

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda was one of the key contributors in his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, logging two hits and an RBI in five plate appearances. Aranda emerged as a staple at the top of the Rays lineup in 2026, hitting .274/.358/.434 with 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 668 plate appearances. The 28-year-old has continued his solid production in the playoffs so far, slashing .290/.353/.387 with one home run, five RBI, and four runs scored across 35 plate appearances. Tampa Bay will have a chance to advance past Cleveland and into the World Series with a win in Game 6 on Monday.

Yesterday

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Logs Fifth Postseason Save in ALCS Game 5 Win

Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker continued his dominant postseason on Sunday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Baker had a breakout regular season for the Rays, pitching to a 1.44 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 41 saves across 62 1/3 innings. He's continued his excellent production in the playoffs, logging six strikeouts and five saves while allowing one hit, two walks, and zero earned runs across six innings (six games). Tampa Bay has a chance to advance to the World Series for the third time in franchise history with a win in Game 6 of the ALCS on Monday.

Yesterday

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

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.

Yesterday

Yandy Díaz • DH • Rays

Yandy Diaz Stars in Key ALCS Game 5 Win on Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz was one of the stars of his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, logging three hits and scoring a run in five plate appearances. The 35-year-old was a consistent presence at the top of the Tampa Bay lineup all season long, hitting .293/.359/.446 with 22 home runs, 85 RBI, 93 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 686 plate appearances. Diaz has continued his steady production in the playoffs, slashing .314/.333/.514 with one home run, two RBI, and six runs scored across 36 postseason plate appearances. The Rays are now one win away from a trip to the World Series after taking a 3-2 series lead over Cleveland on Sunday.

Yesterday

Jonathan Aranda • 1B • Rays

Jonathan Aranda has Three Hits, Two RBI in Game 4 Win Over Guardians

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda helped carry the offense in the 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night at Progressive Field. Aranda, batting out of the two-hole, went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. It was nice to see Aranda do something on offense after going hitless in the first three games of the series. In seven total postseason games this October, Aranda has gone 7-for-26 (.269) at the plate with a home run, four RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and three strikeouts. The Rays are going to need their core players like Aranda to continue stepping up if they are going to win two more games necessary to get them back to the World Series. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger from Mexico followed up his first-time All-Star bid in 2025 with a nice .274/.358/.434 slash line with a career-high 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 155 games and 668 plate appearances during the regular season in his fifth year in the majors.

Yesterday

Nick Martinez • SP • Rays

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.

Yesterday

Nick Martinez • SP • Rays

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.

3 days ago

Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

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.

5 days ago

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Pitches Perfect Ninth For Fourth Save of Postseason

Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker was effective again in limiting the Cleveland Guardians in the ninth inning while picking up his fourth postseason save in Tuesday night's 3-1 victory in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. The right-hander did not allow a hit or a walk in a three-up, three-down ninth inning with one strikeout. The Rays have to feel comfortable turning to Baker in save situations, as he has come through all regular season long and now into the postseason. The two-run lead was plenty enough for Baker to protect as he helped the Rays even the ALCS at 1-1.

5 days ago

Freddy Peralta • SP • Rays

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.

5 days ago

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

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.

6 days ago

Freddy Peralta • SP • Rays

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.

6 days ago

Shane McClanahan • SP • Rays

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.

Oct 11

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

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.

Oct 11

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

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.

Oct 8

Victor Mesa Jr. • RF • Rays

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.

Oct 8

Nick Martinez • SP • Rays

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.

Oct 6

Freddy Peralta • SP • Rays

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.

Oct 6

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