ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Tampa Bay will hand the ball to right-hander Drew Rasmussen on three days' rest for Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night, as the Rays try to stay alive against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Rasmussen, 31, last pitched in Game 2 on Saturday, when he threw 89 pitches over 3 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs in the first inning and did not factor in the decision as Milwaukee came back for a 5-4 win and a 2-0 lead in the Series.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said he reached out to Rasmussen right after the pitcher left the ballpark that night, and the response was immediate. "Called Ras right after he'd left the ballpark, and he was 100% on board wanting the ball," Cash said. He added that Rasmussen skipped a bullpen session on Tuesday with this start possibly in mind, and that the pitcher was not satisfied with how Game 2 went.
Rasmussen's medical history makes the short turnaround notable. He has undergone three major elbow operations, including Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023. The two-time All-Star went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA this season. In 2024 he worked as an opener for the Rays and made short starts on two days' rest after relief outings.
Milwaukee will counter with Jacob Misiorowski on a regular four days of rest. The Brewers lead the best-of-seven Series 3-1, but they let a lead slip in the 12th inning of Tuesday's game and lost 4-3.
Tampa Bay used seven pitchers in that game: starter Griffin Jax, followed by relievers Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser and Ian Seymour. Martinez started Game 1.
There was also a lineup question at third base. Junior Caminero left Tuesday's game for a pinch runner in the 12th inning after limping and favoring his left foot. He had reached to lead off the inning on an error, then moved from first to third on a single by Liam Hicks before being replaced.
Caminero is in the Game 5 lineup, batting third. Cash said the third baseman has been dealing with some lower-body injuries, but noted he is not alone. "There's a lot of guys that are nicked up right now playing through a lot," Cash said, adding that Caminero would be ready to go.
