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Rays starting pitching already atop MLB in multiple FanGraphs categories

ByMason Stacy|
Mar 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Mar 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

If there has been one glaring positive from this past weekend of Rays baseball, it's been the starting pitching. The pitchers overall have been outstanding, but the three starters that toed the rubber for the Rays at Steinbrenner Field were on another level.

Before we dive into the FanGraphs metrics compared to the rest of the league, let's just analyze the pitching stats for our three starters. Ryan Pepiot, Zack Littell, and Taj Bradley combined to toss 18 innings. They gave up only four earned runs on 15 hits across their three starts.

The three hurlers also struck out a total of 22 Rockies led by Ryan Pepiot's eight punchouts on Opening Day. It was a fabulous showing all-around from the Tampa Bay pitchers and may we remind you that Shane McClanahan hasn't pitched a regular season inning in 2025 yet? The left-handed ace will unfortunately be sidelined for another month, so that makes these absurb numbers even more impressive.

Well, how do Rays starters compare to the rest of the league after the first series? They're currently leading the entire sport in a few categories such as walks/9 and total WAR. The walks/9 stat is pretty ridiculous actually as the three Rays hurlers have walked only one batter!

In the third inning of Friday's game, Ryan Pepiot walked Rockies star third baseman Ryan McMahon. Rays starters haven't walked anyone since then which calculates to a 0.5 walks/9. If that's not a recipe for success, then I don't know what is.

Rays starting pitchers are also leading the majors in WAR with one total win accumulated among them already. Another honorable mention is the Rays starters' impressive 11 strikeouts/9. However, they're third in the majors in that statistic behind the Rangers and Phillies.

All of these amazing comparisons lead us to believe that the Rays will be just fine as the season rolls on. Their current rotation along with some banged up players and depth pieces such as Joe Boyle and Jacob Waguespack will give this club a very deep staff that can compete with anyone. Rays veteran starter Drew Rasmussen will toe the rubber tonight against the 1-3 Pirates as he looks to start strong after his long recovery from injury.

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