The Rays will open the American League Championship Series on Monday night without Shane McClanahan, their left-handed ace officially sidelined for the remainder of the postseason. Manager Kevin Cash made the call Sunday, turning Tampa Bay’s attention fully toward a rotation led by Drew Rasmussen as the club pursues the first World Series title in franchise history.
McClanahan’s postseason ends
McClanahan had not pitched since Sept. 3, when he departed his outing against the Rangers because of tightness in his left forearm. His availability had been the lingering question around the Rays as the ALCS approached at Tropicana Field.
There had been hope, however limited, that he could rejoin the staff during the championship series or, if Tampa Bay advanced, in the World Series. A seven-game series can test even a deep pitching staff, and McClanahan’s absence removes a major option from Cash’s board.
- McClanahan is out for all remaining postseason games.
- His last appearance came Sept. 3 against Texas.
- He left that start with left-forearm tightness.
- The Rays are seeking the organization’s first World Series championship.
Rasmussen gets the Game 1 assignment
Rasmussen will take the ball for Game 1 against the Guardians on Monday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with the game airing on TBS, truTV, UniMas and HBO Max.
The 31-year-old right-hander arrives after an All-Star regular season in which he logged 172 innings and posted a 2.67 ERA. He is also expected to draw strong support on American League Cy Young Award ballots, behind Yankees standout Cam Schlittler.
Rasmussen already gave the Rays a postseason performance to remember in the Division Series opener against New York. He carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, struck out 10 Yankees and helped Tampa Bay claim a 1-0 victory.
A four-man plan behind the opener
Without McClanahan, Tampa Bay is expected to work through the ALCS with a four-man rotation. Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez are in line to follow Rasmussen, while Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour will be split between the fourth starting assignment and bullpen duty.
- Drew Rasmussen: scheduled Game 1 starter.
- Freddy Peralta: expected to follow in the rotation.
- Nick Martinez: another projected starter.
- Griffin Jax or Ian Seymour: likely fourth starter, with the other available in relief.
That arrangement leaves the Rays with choices, but fewer of them than they expected to have when McClanahan was still a possible returnee. Rasmussen’s job Monday is clear: set the tone early and give Tampa Bay’s reshaped pitching staff a chance to settle into a long series.
