Drew Rasmussen didn't just pitch well in ALDS Game 1. The Oregon State alum authored one of the most dominant postseason starts in Tampa Bay Rays history — and nearly rewrote the record books entirely.
Rasmussen carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the New York Yankees on Saturday, striking out 10 batters and tying a Rays postseason record in the process. Tampa Bay won 1-0, with Rasmussen's outing standing as the entire margin of victory. At one point, he retired 14 consecutive Yankees hitters, turning Tropicana Field into a museum of offensive futility. The no-hit bid was eventually broken up late, but the damage — or rather, the lack of it — was already done. The Yankees were held to one hit and no runs, their best scoring chance extinguished by a baserunning mistake by Austin Wells after the lone knock of the night.
The performance sent shockwaves through the Yankees' camp heading into Game 2, with New York players publicly processing what had just happened to them and the organization scrambling for pitching answers of its own.
Kwan and Bazzana Carry the Guardians Deep
While Rasmussen was making history in Tampa, two more Beavers were making noise in Cleveland's ALDS run against the Chicago White Sox.
Steven Kwan and Travis Bazzana have been fixtures atop the Guardians' lineup throughout the series — though neither has been immune to scrutiny. Kwan drew attention after appearing to ease up on a bang-bang play at first base in Game 2, sparking a brief but fierce debate about hustle. He's also been the subject of trade speculation, with rival teams reportedly circling should Cleveland choose to move him this offseason.
On the field, both Beavers kept contributing. Kwan went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two walks in Cleveland's Game 4 blowout win (9-5) on Friday, pushing his ALDS average to .188. Bazzana added a hit, an RBI, and a run in the same game — though he was pulled before the eighth inning, raising health concerns that the club has yet to fully address publicly.
Kwan also delivered in Game 3 (1-for-3, RBI, run scored in a 9-3 win) and checked in with a hit and a run in Game 2, even if that outing drew more attention for the wrong reasons. Bazzana, meanwhile, has been more productive with his on-base skills than his hit column — he drew two walks in Game 3 — and is batting .154 for the series.
Rutschman's Future in Boston Is the Offseason's Loudest Question
Oregon State's Adley Rutschman finished his first postseason in a Red Sox uniform hitting .216 with a .661 OPS after being acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline in a blockbuster move that cost Boston multiple top prospects. The Red Sox were eliminated by the Yankees in the Wild Card Round.
The results weren't what Boston envisioned when they paid a steep price to land a three-time All-Star and 2023 Silver Slugger. Reports indicate a veteran scout warned the organization about the Rutschman acquisition before the deadline, and the numbers down the stretch only amplified those concerns. Boston won't tip its hand on his future beyond 2027, but the conversation about whether Rutschman is the right long-term fit is already the loudest one in Fenway this fall.
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