5.71
ERA
1.52
WHIP
5.2
K/9
75.2
IP
13
GS
3.7
BB/9
vs TB — career
7.50ERA1GS.333OPP AVG3K
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Tampa Bay Rays
1:5
Final
H2H 1–2
TB · Home · 73-46
Tampa Bay Rays
Starting pitchers
2.62
ERA
0.88
WHIP
9.3
K/9
86.0
IP
15
GS
1.6
BB/9
vs AZ — career
0.00ERA1GS.143OPP AVG5K
Starter form · last 5 starts
Season5.71
Last 57.62
↓1.91 ERA worse in last 5
↓ ERA trending down lately
Season2.62
Last 52.45
↓0.17 ERA better in last 5
↓ ERA trending down lately
Matchup edge
Drew Rasmussen pitching edge·Rays 5–5 L10
Lineup threats vs starter
Arizona vs Drew Rasmussen
Avg OPS 1.1192 hot hittersTop: Arenado 2.334 · Vargas 1.667 · Jr. 0.846
Rays vs Merrill Kelly
Avg OPS 0.9673 hot hittersTop: Mullins 1.667 · Díaz 1.167 · Williamson 1.000
Arizona Diamondbacks batters vs Drew Rasmussen
Batter
AVG
OPS
HR
Tampa Bay Rays batters vs Merrill Kelly
Batter
AVG
OPS
HR
◆ Matchup preview
Arizona Diamondbacks at Tampa Bay Rays (2026-06-28). Merrill Kelly vs Drew Rasmussen at Tropicana Field.
Merrill Kelly enters this contest with a season ERA of 5.71 and a WHIP of 1.52 across 75.2 innings, indicating significant struggles with run prevention and baserunners. His strikeout rate of 5.23 K/9 is notably low, while his walk rate of 3.69 BB/9 is elevated, contributing to his high WHIP. Kelly's recent starts reflect inconsistency, with a trend ERA showing a downward trajectory, but a high blow-up rate of 33.3% and a quality start percentage of only 33.3%. Conversely, Drew Rasmussen has posted a strong season ERA of 2.62 and an excellent WHIP of 0.88 over 86 innings, demonstrating superior command and effectiveness. His K/9 rate of 9.31 is considerably higher than Kelly's, and his BB/9 rate of 1.57 is significantly lower, highlighting his ability to limit free passes. Rasmussen's trend ERA is also down, and he boasts a 0% blow-up rate, though his quality start percentage matches Kelly's at 33.3%.
The Diamondbacks' offense has produced 349 runs with a .694 OPS, indicating a middling offensive output, while their pitching staff carries a 4.32 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, suggesting vulnerability. The Rays, on the other hand, have a more potent offense, scoring 361 runs with a .727 OPS, and their pitching staff is more efficient with a 3.81 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Both teams have similar home run totals, with Arizona at 73 and Tampa Bay at 71, but the Rays exhibit better plate discipline with more walks and fewer strikeouts.
In their recent head-to-head matchups from April 2025, the Rays secured two wins against the Diamondbacks, with scores of 7-4 and 7-6, while Arizona managed one victory at 5-1. These past games suggest a tendency for higher-scoring affairs between these two teams, with two of the three games exceeding seven runs. The current total line of 7.5 for this matchup aligns with the historical scoring patterns observed in their previous encounters, despite the strong season ERA of Drew Rasmussen.
Key facts
◆ Lineup notes
Ketel Marte, Adrian Del Castillo, and Tommy Troy have no MLB history against Drew Rasmussen. Geraldo Perdomo is hitless in three at-bats across four plate appearances, with an OPS of .250. Corbin Carroll has a 1-for-4 record, batting .250 with a .500 OPS. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has performed well, going 4-for-13 for a .308 average and an .846 OPS. Pavin Smith is 0-for-3 with a .000 OPS. Nolan Arenado boasts an impressive 2-for-3 record, hitting .667 with a 2.334 OPS, and Ildemaro Vargas is also 2-for-3, batting .667 with a 1.667 OPS.
Jonathan Aranda, Victor Mesa Jr., Chandler Simpson, and Nick Fortes have no MLB history against Merrill Kelly. Yandy Díaz is 1-for-3 in four plate appearances, batting .333 with a 1.167 OPS. Junior Caminero is 1-for-3, hitting .333 with a .666 OPS. Cedric Mullins has a strong 2-for-3 record, batting .667 with a 1.667 OPS. Ben Williamson is 1-for-2, hitting .500 with a 1.000 OPS. Taylor Walls is hitless in two at-bats across three plate appearances, with an OPS of .333.
Takeaway: The away lineup features more batters with prior plate appearances against the opposing starter, including several with strong historical numbers.
Head to head (2025–2026)
1—2
Tampa Bay Rays lead series
3 meetings total
2025-04-24
Tampa Bay Rays @ Arizona Diamondbacks
7–4
TB
2025-04-23
Tampa Bay Rays @ Arizona Diamondbacks
7–6
TB
2025-04-22
Tampa Bay Rays @ Arizona Diamondbacks
1–5
AZ
Team picture · 2026
AZ
TB
Team AVG
0.239
0.258
Team OPS
0.694
0.727
Home runs
73
71
Runs scored
349
361
Team ERA
4.32
3.81
HR allowed
98
96
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