Tampa Bay Rays vs Milwaukee Brewers Picks and Predictions May 11th 2025

Rasmussen Faces Former Team as Rays Seek Mother’s Day Sweep

When Drew Rasmussen takes the mound on Sunday, the moment will be more than just another start — it’ll be personal.

The Tampa Bay Rays right-hander is not only facing his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, but doing so on Mother’s Day — a day he says means a lot to him for all the right reasons.

“It’s just really cool to get to pitch on a day to celebrate them,” Rasmussen said, referring to his mother, mother-in-law, and wife.

It’s a full-circle kind of afternoon: honoring the family that helped him chase his dream while competing against the team that gave him his major league debut.

A Familiar Foe: First Pitch Against Former Team

Drafted by Milwaukee, Rasmussen debuted with the Brewers on August 19, 2020. He made 27 appearances before being traded to the Rays in May 2021. Sunday’s outing marks his first time facing the Brewers — and it’s one he’s embracing.

“I’ve got nothing but great memories,” Rasmussen said. “It’ll be fun to compete against them.”

He enters the start with a 1-3 record and a 3.09 ERA, but the tale of his season has been one of two halves so far. His first four starts were electric — just two runs allowed in over 20 innings. Since then, however, he’s allowed 10 earned runs in his last three outings.

Still, Rasmussen remains confident: “It all just comes down to execution. If you execute the correct pitch to the correct location, you’re going to have a lot of success.”

Rays Riding the Momentum

Tampa Bay is rolling into Sunday after a dramatic 3-2 walk-off win over Milwaukee on Saturday. Travis Jankowski delivered the game-winning RBI in a contest disrupted by two rain delays.

“To stay locked in through that whole thing — it’s not easy,” Jankowski said. “It says a lot about the character of this clubhouse and how much winning matters.”

That win put the Rays on the verge of a series sweep, and with Rasmussen on the mound against his former team, the narrative couldn’t be more poetic.

For more insight on team trends and matchups, visit the MLB Team Page.

Brewers Battling Consistency Issues

The Brewers, meanwhile, are searching for rhythm. Their current three-game losing streak is just the latest swing in a season full of streaks. Since April 23, they’ve alternated between three- and four-game streaks of both wins and losses.

Manager Pat Murphy knows it’s part of the grind but wants more from his hitters.

“We’re not a very good offense right now,” Murphy admitted. “We’ve got a lot of guys that we need to be ‘on it’ who aren’t. But I’d still take them nine out of 10 times in clutch situations.”

Saturday’s missed opportunity stung — Milwaukee had the bases loaded in the ninth with just one out and failed to capitalize. That’s been the story lately: moments missed, games dropped.

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Chad Patrick Gets the Ball for Milwaukee

Looking to stop the skid will be right-hander Chad Patrick (2-3, 3.08 ERA), who’ll face Tampa Bay for the first time in his career. While Patrick has been steady this season, he’ll need to be sharp to quiet a Rays team that’s finding ways to win late.

What to Watch for in the Series Finale

• Drew Rasmussen’s Homecoming – Facing the team that drafted him, on a day that honors family? Motivation is sky-high.
• Milwaukee’s Offense – Can the Brewers finally break through, especially late in the game?
• Rays’ Resilience – Coming off a rain-delayed, emotional win, do they have one more spark left to close the series?

For live updates on odds and expert picks, visit the MLB Odds Page and Expert Betting Guide.

Final Word: A Game That’s Bigger Than Baseball

Sunday’s game at Tropicana Field brings all the emotions together — a former player facing his old team, a meaningful holiday, and two clubs heading in different directions.

For Rasmussen, it’s about more than innings and earned runs. It’s about gratitude, growth, and giving his best performance on a day that celebrates the people behind the scenes.

“I’m going to bring everything I have,” he said. You can bet the Brewers will be doing the same.

FAQs

Who is starting for the Rays on Sunday?
Drew Rasmussen (1-3, 3.09 ERA), making his first career start against his former team, the Brewers.

Who is pitching for the Brewers?
Right-hander Chad Patrick (2-3, 3.08 ERA) gets the nod for Milwaukee.

Why is this game special for Rasmussen?
It’s Mother’s Day, and he’ll be honoring the women in his life while facing his former team for the first time.

How did the Rays win Game 2?
A walk-off single by Travis Jankowski sealed a 3-2 win after two rain delays.

What’s going on with the Brewers’ offense?
They’re struggling with consistency and missed several scoring chances on Saturday.