Drew Rasmussen, pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays, was *four outs* away from making postseason history on October 3, 2026. This wasn’t just any game, it was Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, and Rasmussen led his team to a nail-biting 1-0 victory.
Eight Innings of Pure Filth
What Rasmussen did out there was nothing short of incredible. He dealt eight innings of near perfection, allowing just one hit, two walks, and punching out *ten* Yankees batters on 101 pitches. Think about that: in a do-or-die playoff game, he was practically untouchable.
And that one hit? It came off Austin Wells’ bat, a two-out double in the eighth inning. But get this: Wells was *thrown out* trying to stretch it into a triple after a relay! So the guy who broke up the no-hitter didn’t even stay on base. That’s just wild, man.
This wasn’t some fluke for Rasmussen either. He made 30 starts for Tampa Bay this year, earned his second consecutive All-Star berth, rocked a 2.67 ERA, and led the entire American League with a ridiculous 0.913 WHIP. The dude is absolutely electric.
The Trade That Keeps Delivering For Tampa Bay
Remember Drew Rasmussen? The guy the Milwaukee Brewers drafted and who made his debut with them in 2020? Yeah, he was traded to the Rays in 2021 as part of the deal that sent shortstop Willy Adames to Milwaukee. Adames was a staple in the Brewers’ lineup from 2021-24, sure, but the cost for him is looking pretty steep when you see what Rasmussen is doing now.
Since 2022, Rasmussen has made 101 starts for the Rays, holding a stellar 2.74 ERA. And let’s not forget J.P. Feyereisen, who also went to Tampa Bay in that trade. He battled injuries, but was seriously good for the Rays in 2021 and 2022, even pitching 24 1/3 innings in 2022 without giving up a single earned run. What a haul for Tampa Bay.
What’s Next for the Rays?
After that insane performance, the Rays get a day off on Sunday to regroup before diving back into it. Game 2 of the ALDS is Monday, and who’s getting the ball for Tampa Bay? Another former Brewers pitcher, Freddy Peralta. He’ll be squaring off against Yankees star Cam Schlittler. The ex-Brewers pitching showcase continues, and the Rays have a massive opportunity to take a commanding 2-0 lead in this series. You gotta love playoff baseball!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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