MLB analyst places playoff pressure on Shane McClanahan to return to ace form

Despite playing in arguably the most competitive division in all of baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays have made the most out of it. While they have not been to the postseason over the last two seasons, they did make a trip five consecutive times from 2019 to 2023. 

Manager Kevin Cash seems to always get the most out of his players, which is needed. They don't have the same star power that some of the other clubs in the division have. 

They will have to rely on their key contributors, like Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero, while the pitching staff stays locked in all season. Luckily for the Rays, they will be getting a big piece in their starting rotation to return, and that is Shane McClanahan. 

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MLB analyst places playoff pressure on Shane McClanahan to return to ace form

McClanahan was the 31st overall pick for the Rays in 2018 and flew through the minors. He would make his MLB debut late into the 2020 season and did not look back. 

By the 2023 season, he was the ace of the staff and became an All-Star for the first time. However, he would face trouble soon after. 

In August, he reported an arm injury and was put on the 60-day IL. He would then get Tommy John surgery, which would cost him the 2024 season. 

McClanahan was set to return last season, but suffered a triceps injury and was not able to pitch at all last season. 

Now, he comes into the new season healthy and ready to knock off the rust. And he will come into the new season with some added pressure, according to Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly. 

"For the Rays to be a playoff team, two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan is going to have to make an impact in a starting rotation that will also include Drew Rasmussen. The 28-year-old hasn't pitched in either of the last two seasons, but was one of the best starters in baseball across the first 74 starts of his career, posting a 3.02 ERA between 2021 and 2023."

For the Rays to have any chance of returning to the postseason, it's going to start with McClanahan and the rest of the rotation. If he can get it going and the rest of the rotation steps up, this could be a scrappy bunch that keeps them in the Wild Card conversation.

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