Tampa Bay, trailing the Brewers 2-0 in the series, will start Drew Rasmussen on three days' rest Wednesday night to avoid elimination.
Drew Rasmussen is getting the ball again, sooner than usual. The Rays will send their 31-year-old right-hander to the mound on three days' rest for Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers on Wednesday night, with Tampa Bay facing elimination.
Rasmussen already pitched in this series, taking the mound in Game 2 on Saturday. He threw 89 pitches over 3 2/3 innings that night but left without a decision as Milwaukee rallied late for a 5-4 win, pushing the Brewers ahead 2-0 in the series.
Now the Rays need him to go deeper and keep them alive. A loss in Game 5 would end Tampa Bay's season, so the short-rest gamble is as much about necessity as strategy. If Rasmussen and the Rays can get through Wednesday night, Tampa Bay would force a Game 6 and keep its World Series hopes going a little longer.