BASEBALL: Fresh off return home, Rays chase series win vs. Cubs

The Tampa Bay Rays made a triumphant return to Tropicana Field on Monday after 18 months away, and their fans had plenty to cheer about. Tampa Bay defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4, highlighted by a three-homer performance from the Rays’ offense.

Rays manager Kevin Cash was especially pleased to see former ace Shane McClanahan make his first start at the refurbished stadium in 989 days. McClanahan missed the past two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery and a nerve issue.

“I thought the reception for Shane McClanahan when he was announced was pretty spectacular,” Cash said during the broadcast. “It just shows how appreciative our fans are of him and what he’s meant to us and dealt with.”

McClanahan struggled early, walking four and allowing two runs over the first two innings, but settled in to retire his final seven batters across four innings.

“It was an important day for Rays baseball, and it was unique. Teams don’t go through what we went through the last year and a half,” Cash said following the team’s third consecutive win.

The Rays had not played at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton damaged the roof and much of the stadium in October 2024. During renovations, the team hosted home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

In Monday’s game, Chandler Simpson went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and reached base for the 10th straight game, matching Randy Arozarena’s team record to start a season. After limiting the Minnesota Twins to three hits over 10 innings in a 4-1 victory Sunday, the Rays held the Cubs to four hits. Highlights included a home run by Matt Shaw and back-to-back doubles by Ian Happ and Carson Kelly, though they did not score.

Shaw homered for the second consecutive game, but Chicago’s offense is struggling. “We have very good hitters,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Some of them are not succeeding right now. They will, in a big way.”

Originally, Opening Day starters Matthew Boyd and Drew Rasmussen were expected to pitch Tuesday, but neither took the mound. Boyd was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left biceps strain, while Rasmussen was scratched hours before the game after his wife went into early labor.

“You never want to compound things, so when there’s an opportunity to buy a little time, you want to be more cautious, especially while the calendar is still in April,” Boyd said. “That’s what was portrayed to me—trying to do what’s best for everything. But I’m optimistic of coming out of this normal.”

Boyd’s spot on the mound will be filled by right-hander Javier Assad, who has not pitched this season but went 4-1 with a 3.65 ERA last year. Assad, 28, has made two career appearances (one start) against the Rays, going 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA.

Rasmussen’s spot is expected to be handled by a bullpen day, beginning with right-hander Mason Englert (0-0, 12.00 ERA), who has never faced the Cubs over parts of four major league seasons (75 appearances), according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The Rays will look to continue their momentum and win a second consecutive series when they host the Cubs for the middle game of their three-game set on Tuesday night.

—Field Level Media/Reuters