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Drew Rasmussen headlines a deep Rays staff entering ALDS

Following a dominant opening round sweep against Boston where the Bronx Bombers put up 18 runs across a pair of games, the Yankees prepare to square off against their American League East rivals from Tampa Bay in the next playoff bracket. The stellar Tampa rotation, which secured the second-best earned run average in the junior circuit this past season, is expected to hand the opening game ball to Drew Rasmussen.

The veteran right-hander put together a stellar campaign by making 30 appearances, tossing 172 frames, and compiling a 16-5 record alongside a 2.67 earned run average while pacing the league in both WHIP and strikeout-to-walk rate. Skipper Kevin Cash might lean heavily on his ace right out of the gate after watching him extend his workload to 114 pitches in his final regular season start.

Beyond Rasmussen, the Rays boast a deep pitching staff that features Freddy Peralta, who dominated down the stretch to capture September honors, alongside veteran bargain signee Nick Martinez and converted starter Griffin Jax, though manager Cash has yet to finalize his exact deployment plans.

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