The Rays starting rotation as a whole was masterful
Prior to the game on Thursday, I was fully set to name Taj Bradley as the Player of the Series for his Tuesday performance, but he was surpassed by Shane Baz who delivered an incredible outing.
Shane Baz started out the 2025 season on a strong note and looked like he could be emerging as an ace, but then hitters started pummeling his slider and Baz’s stats ballooned. However, Baz has made a recent change to his arsenal and it has led to a resurgence.
During the game on Thursday, Baz gave up a leadoff double to Jonathan India and then proceeded 19 hitters in a row before an infield single in the 7th inning snapped that streak. Baz gave up one more single after that but escaped the jam with a double play; the following inning, Baz yielded his only walk of the game with two outs in the eighth. Undaunted, Baz would strike out the next batter for his 9th strikeout. Baz ended the inning having thrown 97 pitches and perhaps if the Rays held a larger lead, he would have come out for the 9th, but his day was done.
Overall, Baz hurled eight shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk, while striking out nine. The performance registered a 84 GameScore, which would give Baz the best start by a Rays starting pitcher since Drew Rasmussen registered an 84 GameScore August 14th, 2022.
During the three game series, the Rays sent Taj Bradley, Drew Rasmussen, and Baz to the mound as their starting pitchers and the trio combined to yield 0 runs on just seven hits with four walks and 18 strikeouts over 19 2⁄3 IP.
On the season, the 26-year old Baz has now set a new career high in innings pitched. Over 16 starts, Baz has a 4.37 ERA | 4.51 FIP with a 22.7 K% & 9.2 BB% over 90 2⁄3 IP.
DRAYSBAY PLAYER OF THE SERIES
- 1st: Kameron Misner
- 2nd: Jake Mangum
- 3rd: Brandon Lowe
- 4th: Jose Caballero
- 5th: Joe Boyle
- 6th: Shane Baz
- 7th: Chandler Simpson
- 8th: Christopher Morel
- 9th: Chandler Simpson
- 10th: Mason Englert
- 11th: Taylor Walls
- 12th: Yandy Diaz
- 13th: Travis Jankowski
- 14th: Brandon Lowe
- 15th: Drew Rasmussen
- 16th: Curtis Mead
- 17th: Junior Caminero
- 18th: Zack Littell
- 19th: Zack Littell
- 20th: Junor Caminero
- 21st: Christopher Morel
- 22nd: Yandy Diaz
- 23rd: Junior Caminero
- 24th: Brandon Lowe
- 25th: Yandy Diaz
- 26th: Shane Baz