RBLR Rays Roundtable – 6/9/26
If you’ve been navigating the highs and lows of this season with us, you already know that maintaining a hold on the American League East leaves zero room for complacency. After a rough stretch on the diamond that has drastically tightened the divisional race, the front office is actively pulling the levers of change. This week, we are looking closely at how the organization dynamically adjusts its pitching staff to navigate performance lulls, alongside an early look at which individual standouts have earned a potential ticket to the Midsummer Classic.
Jacob Macauley (@raysfarmreport) : Englert to bulk, Matz to bullpen?
As things stood on Sunday morning, the Rays were clinging to a 1-game divisional lead after what has been a putrid 1-4 week. Looking to possibly shake things up, while also scaling back some innings, Marc Topkin reported that the Rays will be shifting veteran left-hander Steven Matz to the bullpen and will be calling upon Mason Englert to work “bulk innings” in Steven’s place.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Matz hasn’t thrown over 100 innings in a single season since 2023 and has seen some decline in performance since his return from the IL (5.9% K-BB%). Steven has been reliable, but with an early-season elbow injury and witnessing some decline post-IL stint, it’s fair to understand why the Rays will look for a change.
Can Englert adequately replace Matz’s spot in the rotation? Mason has already showcased why the Rays might like him in this role a few times this season, throwing 8.1 innings of 1-run baseball in his two most recent outings.
Englert’s mix projects him to be plus vs left-handed hitters with his plus changeup shape that he throws hard and a curveball that he can strike at a well-above-average rate (55.9% zone%). The 16-inch vertical separation between his four-seam fastball and changeup should allow both offerings to play up more than what they’ve produced this season.
Although I think Englert is strong against left-handed hitters, I do worry about him vs right-handed hitters. Right-handers have produced a .372 wOBA against Mason this season, and he doesn’t have a prototypical swing-and-miss shape to offer vs righties. Englert’s new sinker shape that gets 11 inches of separation off his changeup and stays in the same tunnel will certainly be his best bet to get righties out, but long term, I do worry.
The Rays are in a fascinating spot, as soon enough, they will have to manage Shane, Jax, and possibly Rasmussen. Their depth will be tested, and Englert providing productive innings is paramount for a trip back to the postseason. I certainly think Mason fits the bill of the Rays turning a productive reliever into a starter, and I am very fascinated to see how and where this goes.
Carter Brantley (@ctbrantley12): Who could be the Rays’ All-Stars?
The Rays have one of the best records in the American League so far in 2026, and with the All-Star game right around the corner that means there’ll be plenty of representation in Philly for the Flappy Boys.
Who has the best chance at starting? Which players have the best chance of just making it in general, either as a substitute or last-minute injury replacement?
For position players, the answers are fairly obvious: Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, and Jonathan Aranda.
Unfortunately, one of them starting might be an uphill battle.
First base and DH have behemoth performances from Nick Kurtz and Yordan Alvarez/Ben Rice.
Díaz has been outstanding, but is third in wRC+ behind Rice and Alvarez among DHs.
Rice is currently listed as a 1B on the ballot and would likely beat out Kurtz in voting due to his status as a Yankee and because, well, he’s been one of the best hitters in baseball.
Aranda has been another important member of this Rays lineup, and while more traditional metrics like RBIs are helpful for his case, it’ll be difficult to unseat either Kurtz or Rice, however the positions shake out.
Third base has the always-excellent Jose Ramirez having his usual productive start to the year.
The White Sox have been off to an unexpectedly fun start, and third baseman Miguel Vargas has been a big part of that; he leads AL 3B in fWAR.
Caminero has a slight chance if he continues his torrid hitting; his 152 wRC+ is tops amongst AL 3B, but his abysmal start defensively is dragging down in his fWAR total.
On the pitching side, the team has 2 starters in the top 15 in the AL in FIP in Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, and Bryan Baker is 2nd in saves and 10th in fWAR.
All 3 have legitimate cases to make it, with Baker’s being the strongest with his status as one the better “closers” so far this season.
The RBLR Rays Roundtable is a weekly collection of analysis, insight, and perspectives from a cast of writers assembled because of their unique backgrounds and experience. Check this space weekly for new updates and features covering the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rays’ minor league prospects, and more!
