The Rays lost 8-3 to the White Sox on July 22, 2025, as Shane Baz struggled and injuries mounted. Can Tampa Bay stop their four-game skid amid roster chaos?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another dose of bad news for the Tampa Bay Rays. A four-game losing streak is bad enough, but Tuesday's 8-3 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago White Sox felt worse. It wasn't just the lopsided score; it was the sight of yet another key player heading for the clubhouse with an injury, leaving a fanbase wondering when the bleeding will stop.
The Rays have now lost four straight, their record has fallen to 52-49, and their All-Star second baseman and starting shortstop are both on the injury report. It's a critical moment in the season.
The hope was that Shane Baz could be the stopper the Rays desperately needed, but it wasn't his night. The right-hander was hit hard and early, surrendering a crushing three-run homer to Brooks Baldwin in the second inning that set the tone. Baz's night ended after just four innings, having been tagged for a staggering eight runs on eight hits. A late two-run shot by Miguel Vargas was the final nail in the coffin for his outing. The offense showed flickers of life with a two-run double from Taylor Walls and a solo shot from Yandi Díaz, but it was far too little, far too late to overcome the early deficit.
The loss on the field was compounded by losses on the roster. All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe was a late scratch for the second consecutive game, dealing with a flare-up of plantar fasciitis—an especially frustrating development given he just returned from an oblique injury on July 18. Making matters worse, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim had to exit in the fourth inning with lower back tightness. This latest string of ailments puts the Rays' infield depth in a perilous position.
So where do the Rays go from here? Now sitting at 52-49 and sliding in the wrong direction, the team needs a hero. The next man up to try and stop this skid is Drew Rasmussen. The Rays announced the reliable right-hander will take the mound for the next game against the White Sox. With a solid 7-5 record and a 2.86 ERA, Rasmussen represents the team's best hope to snap the losing streak and inject some desperately needed stability.
The Rays are facing a storm of adversity with a losing streak and a MASH unit for an infield. The pressure is on Drew Rasmussen to deliver a vintage performance and right the ship. One dominant start can change the entire mood of a clubhouse and a fanbase. For the Rays, that start can't come soon enough.
