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Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees: 3 early-season AL East thoughts

By Scott Roche

FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 13: Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees runs during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 13, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 13: Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees runs during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 13, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan
Aug 24, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Rays: Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen have been strong in Tampa’s rotation

The Rays began the season winning their first 13 games and currently sit at 16-3 following winning two out of three over the Cincinnati Reds this week on the road. Their offense has been one of their strengths this season, but their pitching has been just as good with Shane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen leading the way.

It should come as no surprise that McClanahan is off to the start he is this season. He’s 4-0 with a 1.57 ERA in 23 innings pitched and batters are just hitting .185 off of him. After 13 consecutive wins to begin the season, Tampa Bay hit its first bumps in the season last weekend, losing the first two games of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Rays were looking to avoid being swept in Canada and McClanahan came to the rescue by scattering four hits, striking out six, and allowing just one run in six innings of work in an 8-1 win. It would not be surprising to see him make his second straight All-Star appearance this summer.

Rasmussen has been just as good as McClanahan early this season with a 3-1 record and a 2.01 ERA in 22.1 innings. Opponents are hitting just .182 this season off of him and he has a 0.94 WHIP with 26 strikeouts. In 28 starts last season, he went 11-7, but this season he is solidifying himself at the top of the rotation.

Tampa Bay has been putting up some runs early this season, but their pitching has been just as good and will be a big key as the season goes along.

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