Tampa Bay Rays - NFBC | High Stakes Fantasy Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays

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Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Sitting versus southpaw Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 1:19 PM Mesa is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday. Analysis: The 25-year-old has started all seven of Tampa Bay's playoff games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday against Cleveland lefty Parker Messick. Mesa clubbed a decisive two-run homer in Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, but overall he's batting just .160 (4-for-25) with 11 strikeouts in October.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios On bench vs. lefty Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 1:15 PM Palacios is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday. Analysis: Palacios went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs in Game 4 on Saturday but will take a seat Sunday since southpaw Parker Messick is starting for Cleveland. Ben Williamson is manning the keystone and batting eighth in a pivotal Game 5.
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Goes deep in Game 4 Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:58 AM Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday. Analysis: Diaz scored Tampa Bay's first run after doubling during the third inning and provided some late insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to stretch the lead to 7-3. It's been a productive series thus far for the 35-year-old slugger, who is batting .278 (5-for-18) with three doubles, a homer, two RBI and four runs through four games.
Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Comes alive in Game 4 Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:48 AM Aranda went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday. Analysis: The first baseman went hitless in the first three games of the series, but he delivered a pair of RBI singles and scored twice Saturday to help Tampa Bay even the series 2-2. Aranda homered in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees but is otherwise without an extra-base hit in October. Still, the three-hit performance improve his postseason slash line to .269/.345/.385 through seven games.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Picks up win in Game 4 Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:24 AM Martinez earned the win in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks across 5.1 innings. Analysis: The right-hander surrendered a run on two hits and a wild pitch during the opening frame but otherwise was able to keep Cleveland off the board to help even the series at 2-2. It was an improved effort from Martinez compared to his first playoff start during the ALDS, when he gave up two runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. He doesn't line up for another start versus the Guardians but could be available out of the bullpen for the final games of the series.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Game 4 postponed Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 8:14 PM Martinez and the Rays won't face the Guardians on Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS, as the game was postponed due to rain. Analysis: Game 4 will now be played Saturday, and Game 5 will be pushed back to Sunday. Martinez will presumably remain in place as Tampa Bay's Game 4 starter and will be looking to bounce back after giving up two earned runs in just 3.2 innings during his last outing against the Yankees in the ALDS.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Slated for Game 4 start Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 10:33 AM The Rays list Martinez as their probable pitcher for Friday's ALCS Game 4 in Cleveland. Analysis: Martinez will be pitching on eight days' rest after yielding two runs over 3.2 innings in the Rays' ALDS Game 3 win over the Yankees. The right-hander logged a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB over 180 regular-season innings for the Rays. The Guardians will counter with opener Shawn Armstrong as an opener, with Tanner Bibee and/or Joey Cantillo likely to handle bulk relief.
Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Handed loss in Game 3 Thu, Oct 15, 2026, 5:39 PM Jax was charged with the loss in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks over four-plus innings. Analysis: Jax entered the fifth inning with a 2-1 lead, but he surrendered an infield single and a two-run homer to begin that frame before getting the hook. It was the first start of the playoffs for the right-hander, who made one relief appearance during the ALDS and gave up a run over two innings. Jax will likely be in the mix to start a possible Game 7 for Tampa Bay.
Griffin Jax Griffin Jax Getting ball in Game 3 Wed, Oct 14, 2026, 10:32 AM Jax will start Thursday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Jax's lone appearance so far this postseason came in relief, as he allowed one run with four strikeouts over two innings in the Rays' ALDS Game 3 clincher versus the Yankees. Nick Martinez was the starter for that contest, but manager Kevin Cash will opt for Jax to take the ball Thursday. Jax hasn't covered five innings in a start in more than three weeks, so Tampa Bay will need its bullpen to handle a significant chunk of Game 3.
Bryan Baker Bryan Baker Locks down Game 2 Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 10:41 PM Baker struck out one while retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday. Analysis: The right-hander entered with a 3-1 lead and closed things out with little fanfare, as he needed just eight pitches to even the series at one game apiece. It's the fourth save of the playoffs for Baker, who has yet to allow a hit and has a 5:1 K:BB across four innings. He's now converted his past 34 save opportunities, with his last blown save coming May 13 in Toronto.
Freddy Peralta Freddy Peralta Fires six shutout frames Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 10:18 PM Peralta earned the win in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings. Analysis: It's the longest postseason start of the right-hander's career and is the eighth straight outing, dating back to Aug. 26, that he's surrendered one or no runs. Through two playoff starts this year, Peralta has given up one run on seven hits with a 9:3 K:BB across 10.2 innings. He lines up to start Game 6 in Tampa Bay, should it be necessary.
Ryan Vilade Ryan Vilade Not starting versus lefty Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 3:09 PM Vilade is absent from the lineup Tuesday for Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians. Analysis: The right-handed-hitting Vilade typically started versus lefties this season, but he will begin this one on the bench despite the Guardians sending southpaw Parker Messick to the hill. Speedster Chandler Simpson will start in left field for the Rays.
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Quality start in Game 1 Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 11:36 AM Rasmussen didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, allowing two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings. Analysis: After striking out 10 and allowing just one hit across eight scoreless frames against the Yankees in the ALDS, Rasmussen wasn't quite able to replicate that performance to begin the championship series. Still, it was a good showing from the right-hander, who departed after serving up a leadoff homer to Patrick Bailey to begin the seventh inning, which tied the game 2-2. Rasmussen has a 1.29 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 14 innings through his first two starts of the playoffs and tentatively lines up to take the ball in Game 5 at Cleveland on Saturday.
Chandler Simpson Chandler Simpson Sitting out against left-hander Mon, Oct 12, 2026, 3:20 PM Simpson is absent from the lineup Monday in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians. Analysis: With left-hander Foster Griffin toeing the rubber for Cleveland, the left-handed-hitting Simpson will begin the festivities on the bench. The Rays will roll out Ryan Vilade in left field. Simpson is a good bet to eventually enter Monday's contest after the Guardians turn to their bullpen.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios Taking seat against southpaw Mon, Oct 12, 2026, 3:17 PM Palacios is not in the lineup Monday in Game 1 of the ALCS versus the Guardians. Analysis: The lefty-swinging Palacios started all three games of the ALDS against the Yankees, including versus southpaw Max Fried. However, he will be on the bench Monday as the Guardians send lefty Foster Griffin to the hill. Ben Williamson will handle second base for the Rays.
Liam Hicks Liam Hicks Exiting lineup versus lefty Mon, Oct 12, 2026, 3:13 PM Hicks is absent from the lineup Monday for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians. Analysis: Hicks went just 1-for-10 at the plate in the ALDS sweep of the Yankees. With the Guardians turning to southpaw Foster Griffin in Game 1, the left-handed-hitting Hicks will yield to Nick Fortes at catcher for the Rays.
Brody Hopkins Brody Hopkins Included on ALCS roster Mon, Oct 12, 2026, 9:58 AM Hopkins has been included on the Rays' roster for the ALCS, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports. Analysis: He will take the roster spot of Garrett Cleavinger, as the Rays will swap out a righty for a lefty in their bullpen. Hopkins made six appearances out of the bullpen down the stretch for the Rays, allowing three runs with a 7:6 K:BB in 5.1 frames. The 24-year-old has electric stuff, but manager Kevin Cash might not feel comfortable using Hopkins in high leverage due to his control problems.
Garrett Cleavinger Garrett Cleavinger Left off ALCS roster Mon, Oct 12, 2026, 9:47 AM Cleavinger will not be on the Rays' ALCS roster, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports. Analysis: Cleavinger returned from a forearm injury in time to be part of the ALDS roster, but the southpaw did not make an appearance against the Yankees. He's roster spot will be absorbed by Brody Hopkins.
Drew Rasmussen Drew Rasmussen Confirmed for Game 1 Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 12:49 PM The Rays named Rasmussen as their starting pitcher for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Tampa Bay's three-game sweep of the Yankees made it easy to set up their ace to start Game 1 of the ALCS, so this announcement is hardly a surprise. Rasmussen dominated New York in the division series, striking out 10 with just one hit and two walks allowed across eight scoreless innings.
Shane McClanahan Shane McClanahan Out through playoffs Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 12:45 PM McClanahan (forearm) won't be available to pitch during the rest of the postseason, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: It would have been a great story for the left-hander to rejoin the Rays during their playoff run after going down with forearm soreness in early September, but it's not a major surprise he's been ruled out given that there's been no indication he's close to game ready. McClanahan also spent time on the IL earlier in the season due to a back issue, limiting him to 24 starts. He posted a 3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 106:39 K:BB across 118 innings this season and is entering his penultimate year of arbitration eligibility in 2027. Manager Kevin Cash indicated that McClanahan should be fully ready for the start of spring training, per Topkin.