Rays Ace Takes Mound in Final Chance at Series

Tampa Bay turns to Drew Rasmussen on Wednesday night to avoid elimination in the World Series.

The right-hander is scheduled to start Game 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He has only three days of rest between outings.

Rasmussen threw 89 pitches in Game 2 on Saturday. He gave up four runs in the first inning of that start. Milwaukee won the game 5-4 to take a 2-0 series lead.

The series has shifted since then. The Brewers hold a 3-1 lead after winning Tuesday night. They dropped a 4-3 decision despite leading in the 12th inning.

Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed the lineup decision shortly after Game 2.

"Called Ras right after he'd left the ballpark, and he was 100% on board wanting the ball," Cash said. "I think Ras, knowing him, he's pretty motivated to get back out there and give us what he can."

The 31-year-old pitcher has a history of elbow injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017. An internal brace procedure followed in 2023.

Rasmussen posted a 16-5 record and a 2.67 earned average during the regular season.

The Brewers will counter with Jacob Misiorowski. He is on standard four days of rest.

Tampa Bay used seven pitchers in Tuesday's loss. Griffin Jax started the game. Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser, and Ian Seymour worked the later innings.

Third baseman Junior Caminero is back in the lineup. He will bat in the third spot.

Caminero left Tuesday's game in the 12th inning. He limped after reaching base on an error and advancing to third on a hit by Liam Hicks. He favored his left foot during the sequence.