Baz has a 4.93 ERA with August struggles, facing a Yankees lineup that leads MLB in OPS. His performance will shape Rays’ chances to stay relevant in the wild-card race and influence fantasy projections for Rays hitters and the team in this series.

Baz enters the start with a str ong peripherals story, better numbers under the hood than the surface ERA, and a homer prone season giving him risk. He faces Kurtz who has shown power against right handers, creating a tense but fair battle on the mound as the Rays push to contain a hot A s offense.

Baz, slated to start for Tampa Bay, brings a high-strikeout ceiling but has logged inconsistent results this season. His recent outing showed regression, yet his upside remains a focal point for Rays’ plans on the mound. Tonight he faces a patient Oakland lineup that can pounce when given a window to swing.

Shane Baz's recent performance has raised concerns, with his last outing featuring a 9.00 ERA and five earned runs allowed. He'll need to improve his consistency to help the Rays secure critical wins and ultimately their playoff positioning.

Shane Baz's effectiveness as a pitcher was on display, as he mixed pitches well to keep hitters off-balance. His ability to settle in after a shaky start contributed significantly to the Rays' success in the game.