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Rasmussen didn't factor into the decision in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings.
Rasmussen was dominant in his first three playoff starts with just three runs allowed and a 23:3 K:BB across 21 innings, but Milwaukee quickly showed why it was able to sweep the Dodgers in the NLCS. The 31-year-old righty was handed a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Brewers got two runs back in the bottom of the frame and scored another in the fourth, chasing him after 89 pitches (56 strikes). Rasmussen now lines up to start a possible Game 6 on Friday, but the Rays will need to win at least two of three games in Tampa Bay to force the series back to Milwaukee.
Rasmussen earned the win in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.
It was another strong showing from Rasmussen, who has surrendered just three earned runs over 21 frames in three playoffs starts and has given up two runs or fewer in each of his past nine outings dating back to Aug. 24. The right-hander has blossomed into an ace, and Sunday's performance puts Tampa Bay one victory away from making the World Series.
Rasmussen didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, allowing two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings.
After striking out 10 and allowing just one hit across eight scoreless frames against the Yankees in the ALDS, Rasmussen wasn't quite able to replicate that performance to begin the championship series. Still, it was a good showing from the right-hander, who departed after serving up a leadoff homer to Patrick Bailey to begin the seventh inning, which tied the game 2-2. Rasmussen has a 1.29 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 14 innings through his first two starts of the playoffs and tentatively lines up to take the ball in Game 5 at Cleveland on Saturday.
The Rays named Rasmussen as their starting pitcher for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Tampa Bay's three-game sweep of the Yankees made it easy to set up their ace to start Game 1 of the ALCS, so this announcement is hardly a surprise. Rasmussen dominated New York in the division series, striking out 10 with just one hit and two walks allowed across eight scoreless innings.
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