The Tampa Bay Rays wrap up a home date on Thursday, September 17, 2026, hosting the Athletics at Tropicana Field for a 1:10 PM ET first pitch. The marquee storyline writes itself: Drew Rasmussen toes the rubber for Tampa Bay against Jeffrey Springs, a former Ray making the trip back to St. Pete with Oakland. With the regular season winding down, every game carries real weight for a Rays squad looking to finish strong. Catch the action on Rays.TV, NBCSCA, or on the radio at WDAE 95.7 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Rasmussen vs. Springs

Drew Rasmussen gets the ball for Tampa Bay in what is a genuinely compelling pitching matchup. Rasmussen has shown flashes of front-of-the-rotation stuff when healthy, and the Rays will need him to work deep into the game and limit traffic on the bases against an Athletics lineup that can do damage when it gets going.

On the other side, Jeffrey Springs knows Tropicana Field well. Springs spent time in a Rays uniform before landing with Oakland, so he understands the quirks of the Trop and the tendencies of hitters in this lineup. That familiarity cuts both ways — Tampa Bay's hitters have seen Springs up close too, and they'll look to exploit any patterns he shows early.

Tampa Bay Starting Lineup

• 1. Yandy Díaz — DH
• 2. Jonathan Aranda — 1B
• 3. Junior Caminero — 3B
• 4. Liam Hicks — C
• 5. Jonny DeLuca — CF
• 6. Chandler Simpson — LF
• 7. Ryan Vilade — RF
• 8. Richie Palacios — 2B
• 9. Taylor Walls — SS

Keys to Watch

Junior Caminero in the Three-Hole

Slotting Caminero third in the order puts the spotlight squarely on the young third baseman. He has the raw power to do real damage against any pitcher, and Springs will need a plan to keep him in the park at the Trop.

Yandy Díaz Setting the Table

Díaz leading off as the DH is a lineup card worth noting. His ability to work counts and get on base gives Aranda and Caminero opportunities to drive in runs early. If Díaz is seeing the ball well, this offense can build momentum fast.

Chandler Simpson's Speed Factor

Simpson in left field adds an athletic dimension to the middle of this lineup. His speed on the bases can disrupt pitchers and create opportunities that do not show up in the box score until it is too late for the opposition.

Rasmussen's Pitch Count Management

The Rays will want Rasmussen to give them length. If he can navigate five or six innings efficiently, Tampa Bay's bullpen depth becomes an advantage in the late innings.

Prediction

This is a game where the Rays' familiarity with Springs tips the scale. Tampa Bay's lineup, anchored by Díaz, Caminero, and DeLuca, should find a way to do enough damage off a pitcher they know. Rasmussen, working at home at Tropicana Field, keeps the Athletics quiet long enough for the bullpen to close it out. Rays take this one, 4–2.