Blake Snell’s name just got a new running mate in one of the rarest corners of Rays history.
Snell, now thriving with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been excellent since returning from the injured list. He’s given up only two earned runs over 18.0 innings in that span, trimming his season ERA to 2.57. That’s the same old story with Snell, who has been one of the game’s top arms since breaking in with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Now Drew Rasmussen has matched a feat Snell once owned all to himself.
Rasmussen delivered another sharp outing Monday, helping Tampa Bay beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1. He picked up the win after allowing one earned run on three hits over six innings, striking out five and walking none. With that victory, Rasmussen became only the second pitcher in Rays history to win at least seven straight starts, according to MLB Stats on X.
Snell was the first to do it, back in 2018. He stacked up wins in nine consecutive starts for Tampa Bay, working 52.2 innings during that run and allowing just six earned runs for a 1.03 ERA. He finished that season 21-5.
The Rays went 90-72 that year, but even that wasn’t enough to push them into the postseason. They ended up third in the crowded AL East.
This season, Tampa Bay has been on the other side of that race. The Rays have spent much of 2026 atop the division and sit first at 78-53. Rasmussen has been a big part of that push, going 14-5 with a 2.95 ERA over 140.1 innings in 25 starts.
In Other News...
Rays Just Lost A Veteran Bat They Never Cleared Room For
Austin Slaters time in the Rays organization ended before it ever really got a chance to matter at the big-league level. Tampa Bay brought in the veteran outfielder on a minor league deal, a low-cost depth play for a roster that is always trying to keep options open, but Slater spent his time putting together a strong Triple-A run while waiting for a clearer path to the majors.
With the September 1 postseason eligibility deadline approaching, he has now chosen to opt out and look for a club that can offer a more direct fit. Given his track record against left-handed pitching and the number of teams still searching for help in that area, Slater should have a market quickly even after a difficult stretch in recent major league seasons. [Read more 🡒]
Liam Hicks Just Found The Rays Opportunity He Was Missing
Liam Hicks did not have to look far to explain why the move to Tampa Bay appealed to him. After a reduced catching role in Miami, the trade to the Rays gave him a cleaner path to get behind the plate more often, which is exactly where he wants to be. On This Week in Rays Baseball, Hicks talked through the adjustment of joining a new club and the work that comes with learning a fresh pitching staff, a task that can take time even for a catcher eager to make an immediate impression.
For Hicks, the appeal goes beyond simply getting more at-bats. He made clear that he prefers catching to being limited to designated hitter duties, with his focus centered on handling the game and supporting the pitchers in every way he can. That mindset should fit neatly with a Rays organization that asks a lot of its catchers, but the real test will come as he keeps building familiarity with the arms around him and tries to turn this opportunity into a bigger role. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Suddenly Face A Tough Nick Martinez Decision
Nick Martinezs best season has put the Rays in an uncomfortable spot at just the right time, since the veteran right-hander is headed toward free agency after earning his first All-Star nod. For a club that has long built around timing, value and tough roster choices, Martinez has become one of the more interesting names on the board as the offseason approaches.
MLB.com recently ranked Martinez ninth among the top free agents for the 2026-27 class, a sign that his market may be stronger than a typical age-heavy pitcher profile would suggest. That leaves Tampa Bay weighing whether to bring him back as part of its plan for next season, with the front office now facing a decision that could shape how much stability the rotation has going forward. [Read more 🡒]