Aug 20, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays beginning pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) throws a pitch within the first inning in opposition to the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Subject. Necessary Credit score: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Photos The Chicago Cubs seemingly will want a number of innings out of their bullpen once more Saturday afternoon once they host the Tampa Bay Rays within the second recreation of a three-game collection.
That is labored out nicely of late for the Cubs (84-63).
Chicago relievers threw 4 no-hit innings of reduction on Friday afternoon in a 6-4 win in opposition to the Rays, and the bullpen has mixed to clean its opponents over the previous 11 1/3 innings.
“The consistency is simply ridiculous, simply exceptional,” Cubs left fielder Ian Happ mentioned of the bullpen. “It is each single day and each man, and there is not plenty of groups which have that, and we’re fortunate.”
Chicago nearer Daniel Palencia went on the 15-day injured listing on Monday after feeling a pop in his shoulder within the ninth inning on Sunday in opposition to the Washington Nationals, however Chicago supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned after the win on Friday that Palencia felt good after throwing the ball earlier within the day.
“It was a great day of catch, so we’ll transfer ahead (Saturday) with extra catch, possibly somewhat greater depth, however he had an excellent day,” Counsell mentioned.
Colin Rea is about to start out for the Cubs on Saturday, and the bullpen figures to get extra motion because the right-hander hasn’t gone greater than six innings in his previous 10 outings.
Rea (10-6, 4.20 ERA) is coming off a strong look by which he didn’t obtain a choice. He allowed only one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings after an opener threw one inning pm Sunday in opposition to the Nationals. He departed with a 2-1 lead, however the bullpen surrendered 5 runs within the prime of the ninth of a 6-3 loss.
Rea gained his solely profession begin in opposition to the Rays, throwing six shutout innings on Could 1, 2024.
The Cubs sit 4 1/2 video games forward of the San Diego Padres for the highest Nationwide League wild-card spot, they usually path the Milwaukee Brewers by 5 1/2 video games within the NL Central.
The Rays (72-75) have misplaced six of seven since a seven-game successful streak had them on the sting of the AL wild-card race.
Tampa Bay took an early 3-0 lead on a three-run homer by Christopher Morel within the first inning on Friday, however they did not keep on prime for lengthy.
Chicago got here again with three runs within the second off starter Shane Baz and two extra within the third.
“We get a 3-0 lead, and the way in which Baz is throwing the ball, feeling fairly good about it, however the Cubs have been taking part in nicely,” Rays supervisor Kevin Money mentioned. “It was fixed strain with the at-bats.”
The Rays acquired their first two batters on base within the fourth, however Everson Pereira was picked off first base for the second out. Nick Fortes adopted with an RBI single to chop the deficit to 5-4, however Tampa Bay would not get one other baserunner the remainder of the way in which.
“We simply did not get something going from that time on,” Money mentioned. “You’re feeling nice about three runs within the first inning. Received so as to add to that, however we have got to forestall some runs from being scored.”
The Rays plan to start out Drew Rasmussen on Saturday.
Rasmussen (10-5, 2.64 ERA) has gone with out a choice in his previous 4 begins, most just lately throwing 5 shutout innings in Tampa Bay’s 2-1 loss in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.
Rasmussen has made 4 appearances (one begin) in opposition to the Cubs in his profession, going 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA.
–Subject Stage Media
