The Tampa Bay Rays find themselves atop the American League East on the strength of a four-game winning streak.
The Rays will look to continue their good fortune on Sunday afternoon when they bid for a sweep of their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Right-hander Drew Rasmussen (6-4, 2.62 ERA), who will start Sunday’s contest, predicted Tampa Bay’s current hot streak after his most recent start. It was during a stretch of three losses in four games for the team.
“We knew there were going to be some hiccups that were going to come along the way. I don’t think any team will miss on some tough times,” Rasmussen said. “Unfortunately, we’re going through ours right now, but I don’t think it’s the end of the world. I think we’re going to be just fine at the end of the day.”
Rasmussen’s comment came after he allowed two runs and four hits in six innings in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
But Rasmussen has not had success against Arizona so far in his career, posting a 5.14 ERA in two games without a decision.
Rasmussen’s last start facing the Diamondbacks was April 24, 2025, when he gave up four runs on five hits in five innings with a walk and five strikeouts.
The Rays’ Junior Caminero has home runs in his last three games and six in his last five for a total of 21 this season.
Jonathan Aranda also went deep in Saturday’s 4-2 victory, a two-run blast in the fifth inning that broke a 1-1 tie. He is riding a 10-game hitting streak, including an 11-for-25 run over his last seven games.
Tampa Bay improved to 30-12 at home this season after limiting Arizona to three runs over the first two games.
The Diamondbacks plated nine runs on Wednesday in a win over the host St. Louis Cardinals.
“We’ve got to get it all together and start playing consistent baseball,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “When we do, we’re gonna win some games.”
The Diamondbacks will send right-hander Merrill Kelly (5-7, 5.71) to the mound on Sunday afternoon.
Kelly took the loss in his last outing Monday, a 3-2 setback to the Cardinals. He surrendered three runs on seven hits in six innings with three walks and two strikeouts.
Kelly has not fared well against Tampa Bay, posting a 0-1 record and 13.00 ERA in two starts. The last time he faced the Rays was Aug. 18, 2024, when they rocked him for six runs and eight hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out four in a no-decision.
Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo is 5-for-8 in the first two games of the series after going 3-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday’s loss.
Katel Marte hit his 14th home run Saturday for the Diamondbacks.
–Field Level Media
