Rays Name Rasmussen Starter for Game 5 on Three Days Rest

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash confirmed that right-hander Drew Rasmussen will start World Series Game 5 on Wednesday night on just three days of rest. The decision places the 31-year-old pitcher in the rotation again less than a week after he last took the mound in St. Petersburg.

Rasmussen pitched 89 balls over three and two-thirds innings in Game 2 on Saturday. He surrendered four runs in the first frame before Milwaukee rallied to win 5-4, extending their series lead to two games. Cash said he contacted Rasmussen immediately after the pitcher left the ballpark following that loss. "Called Ras right after he'd left the ballpark, and he was 100% on board wanting the ball," Cash said.

The manager noted that Rasmussen skipped a bullpen session on Tuesday with this start in mind. Cash added that the pitcher was not satisfied with his performance in Game 2, fueling his desire for another opportunity.

The short turnaround draws attention to Rasmussen's medical history. He has undergone three major elbow operations, including Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023. The two-time All-Star finished the 2026 season with a 16-5 record and a 2.67 earned run average.

Milwaukee will counter with Jacob Misiorowski, who is on a standard four days of rest. The Brewers hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after dropping Tuesday's game 4-3 in the 12th inning. Tampa Bay used seven pitchers in that defeat, including starter Griffin Jax and relievers Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser, and Ian Seymour.

A lineup question involving third baseman Junior Caminero has been resolved. Caminero left Tuesday's game for a pinch runner in the 12th inning after limping and favoring his left foot. He had reached base on an error to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a single by Liam Hicks before being replaced. Cash said Caminero will bat third in Game 5 despite dealing with lower-body injuries.

"There's a lot of guys that are nicked up right now playing through a lot," Cash said, adding that Caminero is ready to go.