Rays Prepare Pitching Plan for Guardians ALCS

Tampa Bay will enter the American League Championship Series against Cleveland with additional recovery time and a planned pitching rotation after sweeping the New York Yankees in the Division Series. Manager Kevin Cash is preparing his roster for the best-of-seven matchup at Tropicana Field, with right-hander Drew Rasmussen expected to start Game 1 as the Rays pursue a place in the World Series.

The Rays returned home Thursday afternoon, held a workout Friday, and scheduled an intrasquad scrimmage for Saturday. Another workout was planned for Sunday ahead of Monday night's series opener, giving the team time to prepare its starters and keep its relievers sharp.

According to MLB.com, Tampa Bay had 11 days off and three game days during the two weeks between its regular-season finale in Philadelphia on September 27 and the scheduled start of the ALCS. The Yankees sweep also spared the Rays additional games and allowed them to manage workloads before the next round.

Cash emphasized the importance of maintaining focus despite the break after the demanding regular season and postseason games.

"I think it's a privilege. I feel like any time that you're able to catch up on your rest, it's a long regular season to begin with, and then these postseason games can get long and exhausting," Cash said. "I think 'exhausting' is a good word.

One to nine innings, everything is challenging to get through those games, and there's a lot of mental stress, physical stress that goes in[to it]. They get the rest, but they can turn it back on when needed."

The manager also cautioned against allowing the extended break to reduce the team's competitive edge. Tampa Bay must balance recovery with preparation for a series that includes only two scheduled off-days, following Games 2 and 5.

Outfielder Jonny DeLuca said the club intended to concentrate on its own preparation rather than dwell on the circumstances surrounding the matchup.

"At the end of the day, we're just going to focus on us and be in the moment," DeLuca said.

The pitching staff is a central part of Tampa Bay's preparation. Only three relievers appeared in the Division Series, excluding starters Ian Seymour and Griffin Jax, who also worked out of the bullpen. Closer Bryan Baker pitched three innings across three games, left-hander Cam Booser recorded three outs in two games, and right-hander Kevin Kelly worked one out in Game 3.

Kelly said the coaching staff had managed the balance between bullpen work and rest during the break.

"It's all about balancing the two, like throwing too much or having too much time off. I think we've done a good job with these [days] like today, coming in on an 'off-day,'" Kelly said. "But at the same time, it has been good to get a little bit of downtime in between.

You see how the other teams have been using their bullpens, and it can add up. So the usage has been good."

Cash said the Rays had developed several possible pitching approaches but would finalize the plan after their opponent was determined. He indicated that the club expected to rely heavily on its starting rotation following the group's contributions against New York.

"We've got a lot of conversations to talk through," Cash said.

Cash also said he expected the starting pitchers to remain central to the team's strategy, while the roster for the championship series would probably resemble the group used in the Division Series.

"I would feel confident that we're going to continue to lean heavily on those guys," Cash said.

Rasmussen's anticipated assignment follows an impressive Division Series performance against the Yankees on October 3. According to Through the Fence Baseball, he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, walked two batters, struck out 10, and earned a 1-0 victory.

The right-hander said he began studying Cleveland immediately after Tampa Bay eliminated New York, briefly shifted his attention to Chicago while the Guardians' series remained unresolved, and then returned his focus to Cleveland as the matchup became clear.

"This is all about preparation and execution," Rasmussen said. "That's what this game is about. Right now, we're feeling prepared. I guess (in game one), we'll see how well we execute."

Cash credited Rasmussen's development since Tampa Bay acquired him from Milwaukee on May 21, 2021. Initially relying primarily on a sinker and slider, Rasmussen expanded his pitch selection and improved his ability to locate his fastball, according to Through the Fence Baseball.

Reliever Griffin Jax praised Rasmussen's consistency and influence in the clubhouse.

"(Rasmussen) is such a great role model for this team," Jax said. "A young player, veteran player; it doesn't matter. He's the same guy every single day.

He's great for me and accountable. When I get to the ballpark and in the clubhouse, I think I'm the first one there. He's already here for an hour or two.

It's just great to hold you to a higher standard. I think everyone in the clubhouse gravitates to that."

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt identified Tampa Bay's contact-oriented offense as a challenge for the Guardians' pitchers and defense. The Rays are known for putting the ball in play, bunting, and applying pressure on opposing fielders, according to Through the Fence Baseball.

"Just make our pitches," Vogt said. "It really comes down to that. We know (the Rays).

We know they will make contact. They're going to bunt. They're going to put pressure on us.

Obviously, we had a pretty historic night with those 21 strikeouts. I don't think we're anticipating seeing that. Our pitchers execute pitches, our catchers have a great game plan and let's see what will happen."

Vogt selected left-hander Foster Griffin to start the opener for Cleveland. The 31-year-old Orlando native was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2018 draft, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020, and later continued his career in Japan before returning to Major League Baseball.

Griffin represented the Washington Nationals at the 2026 All-Star Game before being traded to Cleveland in early August. Through the Fence Baseball reported that he recorded a 3-3 record with a 5.19 ERA across nine starts for the Guardians after the move.

The ALCS will test Tampa Bay's ability to turn its extra preparation time into consistent execution while Cleveland seeks to carry its momentum into the championship series. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday night at Tropicana Field, with Rasmussen expected to start for the Rays and Griffin set to take the mound for the Guardians.