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The MLB initially appeared to foreshadow a possible opening act of the 2026 World Series.
With Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani originally slated to duel Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, the matchup would have pitted one of the NL's top pitchers versus an AL counterpart during a series featuring two of the top squads in each league.
Until the Dodgers made a pitching change Monday afternoon, switching Justin Wrobleski for Ohtani.
The original starting pitching matchup could have been seen as a preview for Game 1 of the World Series.
Now? Maybe Game 2 or 3.
Tuesday night showdown: Dodgers vs. Rays
The Dodgers (45-27), paced by NL MVP candidate Ohtani's .302 batting average and .975 OPS and top-notch pitching, entered Monday 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (46-25) for the best overall record. The No. 5-ranked Rays (41-27) trailed the top spot by 3.5 games.
The Dodgers' roster has the look — and payroll — of a unit prepping for another deep postseason run, even with limited production from $60 million investment Kyle Tucker.
The two-time reigning Series champions paced the NL West by seven games over the San Diego Padres. The Rays trailed the AL East-leading New York Yankees by one game, but led the Wild Card chase.
Wrobleski (7-2, 2.95 ERA) departed last Thursday's start with a hamstring injury, but appeared to have avoided a prolonged stint on injured reserve.
Rasmussen (6-2, 2.71) has not allowed a run in his past two seven-inning starts, yielding just two hits to the Boston Red Sox last Wednesday and one hit to the Miami Marlins on June 5.
He struck out the Red Sox's first three batters, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, three times each at Tropicana Field. Rasmussen opened the game by retiring the trio on swinging strikes and repeated the effort in the fourth.
An All-Star last season, Rasmussen, depending on his four-seam fastball and cutter, finished his last outing with a career-high 13 strikeouts, including 20 whiffs.
A 2025 All-Star, Rasmussen continues prepping for Tuesday's showdown, now against Wrobleski.
Could it be a preview for Game 2 or 3 of the World Series?
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