Rasmussen gets ALCS opener as Rays shut down McClanahan

Drew Rasmussen will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series for Tampa Bay on Monday, while the Rays have ruled out a postseason return for left-hander Shane McClanahan.

The two pitching decisions give Tampa Bay a clearer plan before its series against Cleveland begins at Tropicana Field at 8 p.m. Eastern. MLB's current series preview lists Rasmussen as the Rays' starter, and RotoWire reported the assignment Sunday, citing Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin.

Rasmussen had been lined up to return for a possible fourth game of the Division Series. Tampa Bay's three-game sweep of the Yankees gave him extra rest instead. In that series opener, he pitched eight scoreless innings, allowed one hit and two walks and struck out 10. The Rays won 1-0.

He also had a strong regular-season outing against Cleveland. MLB's preview notes that Rasmussen threw seven scoreless innings against the Guardians on July 26, allowing one hit and one walk with nine strikeouts. The postseason matchup is a new assignment, but he has already faced this opponent successfully.

McClanahan will not be part of the Rays' plans if they advance. Manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that the pitcher, who finished the regular season on the injured list with left forearm tightness, was shut down for the rest of the postseason. David Shovein's NBC Sports report, citing Topkin, confirmed that he will not pitch again this year.

Tampa Bay used several starters in relief during its sweep of New York. MLB's preview says the ALCS format could lead to a four-man rotation involving Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez, with Griffin Jax or Ian Seymour as another option. That is a projected arrangement, with the club able to use whichever pitcher is outside the rotation in relief.

The Rays enter with their bullpen rested after the sweep. Cleveland reached the matchup through a five-game comeback against the White Sox, with Gavin Williams starting Saturday's deciding game. The first ALCS game begins a best-of-seven series with a World Series place at stake.

Sources

MLB: ALCS pitching matchup and injury update · RotoWire: Rasmussen confirmed for Game1 · NBC Sports: McClanahan will not return