Tampa Bay Rays ace Drew Rasmussen indicated he is prepared to return to the mound for World Series Game 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers, following the Rays’ dramatic 4-3, 12-inning victory in Game 4. Speaking with ESPN’s Jorge Castillo after the win, Rasmussen expressed high confidence in his physical condition, stating, “I’m probably smoking hot, would be my guess… I feel great. So, I’m sure they’re going to kick around some ideas in there for a little bit, but I would assume I’m in there.” The pitcher’s willingness to pitch on short rest underscores the team’s strategic flexibility as they seek to extend the series.
Ace signals readiness to return after Game 4 win, despite shaky Game 2 start
Rasmussen’s potential return comes after a challenging start in Game 2, where he struggled with command. In that outing, the left-hander threw 3.2 innings, allowing three earned runs and six hits while striking out four batters and walking two. Although he noted his early command issues in that game, his recent performance and current physical state suggest a different trajectory. The Rays’ management will likely weigh the risk of fatigue against the necessity of their best pitcher in a high-stakes Game 5, especially given the series’ intensity.
With the World Series tied at two games apiece, the tactical decisions surrounding the pitching staff will be pivotal. Rasmussen’s self-assessment of being “smoking hot” provides the Rays with a valuable option to disrupt the Brewers’ lineup. As the teams prepare for Wednesday’s matchup, the focus shifts to whether Tampa Bay will trust Rasmussen to deliver the dominant performance needed to secure a series lead, or if they will opt for a bullpen-heavy approach to preserve their ace for a potential Game 6 or 7.
Source: Yahoo Sports
