Drew Rasmussen will start on short rest for the Tampa Bay Rays tonight, four days after his previous outing on Saturday, as the team attempts to stave off elimination in the 2026 World Series and force a return trip to Milwaukee. Talkin’ Baseball reported the pitching matchup on October 28, 2026.
Brewers Send Misiorowski to the Mound for Title Clinch
The Milwaukee Brewers turn to Jacob Misiorowski tonight with a chance to secure their first World Series title in franchise history. Milwaukee holds a distinct bullpen advantage entering the matchup, as their key relievers remained unused during Monday's contest. Misiorowski steps onto the mound with an opportunity to close out the Major League Baseball season under the bright lights of elimination baseball.
Rays Turn to Rasmussen After Bullpen Work
Tampa Bay arrives at this high-stakes game forced to adjust its pitching rotation following Monday night’s victory. Managerial decisions from earlier in the series required Nick Martinez to throw two innings on Monday, leaving the Rays without a fully rested traditional starter for tonight. Consequently, Rasmussen takes the ball on four days of rest rather than his usual routine.
Drew Rasmussen will start tonight for the Rays on short rest, per @TBTimes_Rays pic.twitter.com/jPnmEstP5U
The current rotation crunch traces back to organizational decisions made prior to Game 1, when the Rays bypassed Rasmussen to grant him an extra 24 hours of recovery time. That scheduling choice altered the team’s sequence, forcing tonight’s compressed turnaround. If Tampa Bay prevails tonight, a similar rotation dilemma awaits Freddy Peralta and the Brewers ahead of a potential Game 6.
Series Schedule and Next Steps
Tonight’s elimination game takes place with the series hanging in the balance. If the Rays secure a victory, the World Series shifts back to American Family Field in Milwaukee for Game 6 on Friday night.
Jacob Misiorowski on the bump as the Brewers once again try to clinch their first title, while the Rays will look to send the series back to Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/Yb6PqhBiHw
