Rays’ Drew Rasmussen has shortest outing in 97 days in World Series Game 2 vs. Brewers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Rays chose not to start Drew Rasmussen for Game 1 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Kevin Cash instead opted to save Rasmussen for Game 2, but that decision has not worked out as well as he had hoped.
Despite the extra day of rest, Rasmussen turned in a surprisingly short and ineffective start. The Rays ace lasted just 3.2 innings as he gave up three earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
As Bob Nightengale of USA Today pointed out on X, formerly Twitter, this was Rasmussen’s shortest start since July 9, when he went just 2.1 innings against the New York Yankees. That was also the last time he had failed to go at least five innings in a start.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
After the Rays built up a big 4-0 lead in the first inning of Game 2, led off with a huge Liam Hicks home run, Rasmussen gave half of that lead right back as he surrendered two runs to the Brewers. He was never quite able to recover after that as Cash replaced him with Cam Booser before finishing the fourth inning while the Rays were leading 4-3.
Prior to this start, Rasmussed had been absolutely lights out in the postseason. He threw eight brilliant shutout innings against the Yankees in the ALDS. He then had another excellent outing in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, giving up just one run in seven innings. The start in between was not as good, but he still gave them six innings and surrendered just two runs.
Related: Rays’ Liam Hicks blasts epic home run in World Series Game 2 vs. Brewers
Related: Chandler Simpson gets completely honest on Rays’ secret weapon