Drew Rasmussen and Kevin Gausman may get a little hit as the Rays visit the Blue Jays
It’s hard to believe, but we’re almost a quarter of the way through the MLB season. Every year I get older, I feel that the years go by faster, so I think the same can be said for the baseball year. It might be a good time to start scouting teams and getting a feel for who might make the postseason, and who might not. Two teams with postseason aspirations square off today as the Rays take on the Blue Jays.
The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the best teams in baseball with a solid record of 26-13. They have a winning road record, but about 75% of their losses have come while wearing the gray. I will say that I was surprised by the way the Rays played early this season. The case turned out much better than I imagined. They always seem to make diamonds out of whatever pitch they have, but they have been very special this year.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman throws during the first inning of the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees in New York on April 27, 2025. (Pamela Smith/AP)
One of their best players was today’s starter, Drew Rasmussen. After being a swing-guy in 2024, he was a full-time starter in 2025 and played very well. He did that this season and is 2-1 on the year with a 2.95 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Rasmussen has pitched four walks, and his ERA is nearly two runs higher as a guest than a home pitcher. Neither start, possibly 3.2 innings and four runs allowed to Pittsburgh, was all that bad, though. His last start was against the Blue Jays, and he allowed three earned runs in six innings.
The Toronto Blue Jays, coming off a World Series loss to the Dodgers, have yet to find their footing this year. They are 18-22 this season, 12-9 at home. The case does not seem to be a problem. They hit the mark in line with what the Rays have put together this year. So, maybe that is reason for hope. The reason for the pessimism is that their pitching staff has a 4.08 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.
Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch to the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Tropicana Field in St. Louis. Petersburg, Fla., June 4, 2022. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Another guy who has done better than their team overall is today’s starter, Kevin Gausman. On the year, he is 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He was very comfortable pitching the home rubber again. He is 1-1 with a 1.88 home run ERA in 24 innings of work. He’s had good starts in three of his four home games and five of his eight outings.
I played this game the other day when Rasmussen and Gausman went head-to-head. That was a 4-3 win for the Rays. Both starters performed admirably. However, it does not mean that they will do well in the next outing. Pitchers, in general, are easier to hit if the hitter has seen them recently. Rasmussen and Gausman are not ordinary pitchers, and they should be able to navigate well.
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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates hitting a single against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at the Rogers Center. (Photos by Nick Turchiaro/Imagn)
I think both will allow a few runs tonight. I was impressed with both cases. I’m backing the over tonight as I think both teams will get a few runs from the starters and we’ll see others come out of the bullpen.
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