Blue Jays stay atop the AL East with a 5-1 win over the Rays as Trey Yesavage logs five shutout innings for his first MLB win and Alejandro Kirk belts a homer. Ernie Clement adds two hits and two RBIs while Toronto improves to 53-27 at home and 70-4 when scoring five or more. Toronto can clinch the division and the best AL record by Sunday only if the Yankees falter, after New York beat Baltimore 6-1 to keep pace. Aranda homered for Tampa Bay; Díaz reaches .300 and Ian Seymour is lined up for the Rays in the finale.

Rays’ Joe Boyle yielded four runs in five innings; Cleavinger surrendered Kirk’s seventh-inning homer. Giménez adds an RBI for Cleveland in the mix. The finale shapes up as a high-stakes, fantasy-relevant conclusion with Yesavage emerging as a spot-start option, Kirk continuing his power stretch, and both teams' bullpens under the microscope as the clock winds down on the regular season.

Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum supplied the early punch for Tampa Bay, with Lowe belting his 31st homer and Mangum adding a solo shot as the Rays jumped in front of Baltimore. The Rays chased a no-hitter into the seventh, stifling the Orioles through six innings before Tyler O’Neill broke it with a leadoff single off Griffin Jax. A sturdy Rays bullpen carried the shutout run into late innings, while the Rays countered with a 6-2 win that highlighted their power and bullpen depth.

Fantasy-wise, Lowe’s 30+ homer pace remains the centerpiece, and Mangum’s rising power adds a clear extra-base threat behind the big slugger. The night also underscored Shane Baz’s return-to-form arc and the bullpen’s ability to bridge nine scoreless frames, setting up a tantalizing pitching duel with Drew Rasmussen against Cade Povich in the finale.

Overall, this game gave Rays managers several actionable takeaways: keep Lowe rolling in the heart of the order, monitor Mangum’s breakout potential, and watch Rays relievers maintain the late-inning edge while Baltimore adjusts its lineup for the next meeting.

The Tampa Bay Rays are facing a significant challenge as their bullpen has faltered in crucial moments, resulting in back-to-back losses against the Minnesota Twins. After a disappointing blown save on Friday, the Rays’ relievers allowed a 5-1 lead to slip away in Saturday's game, leading to their fourth consecutive defeat. Manager Kevin Cash expressed concern but emphasized confidence in the bullpen, noting that recent struggles are part of the game. With a tough road schedule and the All-Star break approaching, the timing of these losses raises questions about potential trade moves before the deadline. The pressure mounts as the bullpen, once praised, must regain its form to support a struggling offense.

The Tampa Bay Rays face uncertainty in their closing role this season, with Pete Fairbanks appearing to have the lead, though injury history looms large. Fairbanks, who battled multiple injuries in the past two years, has had a mixed performance. Despite a strong second half last season with a 3.21 ERA and 16 saves, his fastball velocity has declined, and he’s struggled against left-handed hitters. Edwin Uceta offers a glimmer of hope after a rocky minor league stint; he excelled after his promotion, showcasing superb control and solid strikeout rates. Uceta's ability to convert saves puts him in contention for the closer role, but concerns about his consistency remain. The Rays also have Garrett Cleavinger and Manuel Rodriguez as options, adding to the competition for save opportunities.

Drew Rasmussen has finalized a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays worth $8.5 million, successfully avoiding salary arbitration. The contract includes an option that could increase the total value to $28 million across three years. The agreement was announced by Rasmussen’s agency, Beverly Hills Sports Council, just days ahead of the scheduled arbitration discussions.

The 29-year-old right-hander underwent a third elbow surgery in July 2023 but made a swift return to the mound on August 7. During his brief stint following recovery, he recorded a 2.82 ERA with a 0-2 record in four starts and 12 relief appearances, showcasing his ability with a 97.4 mph four-seam fastball.

Throughout his five-year career, Rasmussen boasts a 20-12 record with a 2.95 ERA over 50 starts and 44 relief appearances, primarily with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Rays. He will remain under contract with the Rays until at least the end of the 2026 season, provided the option is not exercised. Meanwhile, several other Rays players are still in arbitration, including Shane Baz and Zack Littell.