The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series to kick off a six-game homestand Monday.
ESPN insider Jeff Passan named the Dodgers’ series against the Rays as MLB’s “must-watch” series for June.
“Rays at Dodgers, June 15 to 17. With the NL looking like the clearly better league this season, the AL’s best team testing its wares against the two-time defending World Series champions makes for a delicious little middle-of-the-summer affair,” Passan wrote.
“…Tampa Bay might not finish the year with the best record in the league. They might not finish June with the best record in the AL East. But this will be a nice test that shows them they can hang with the Dodgers — or that they’ll need more should a rematch come in October.”
The Rays have been one of MLB’s more exciting teams in 2026, surging towards the top of a competitive AL East and remaining in contention with the New York Yankees for first in their division. They’re currently just one game back of the Yankees, and hold a Wild Card spot in the American League with a 41-27 record.
Tampa Bay has a fantastic record when playing at home, losing just nine of 33 games at Tropicana Field, but are playing sub-.500 baseball on the road. Their trio of All-Stars, Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda, have made up the majority of their offensive production this season, and their pitching has performed well too.
They currently hold the 12th best team ERA in MLB, though they’ve slightly over performed based on their expected stats.
What Are the Pitching Matchups for the Coming Series?
Game 1
The Dodgers face one of the toughest pitchers on the Rays in the first game of the series, as Eric Lauer will take on Tampa Bay’s Nick Martinez in the first game of the set.
Lauer has had a solid start to life in Los Angeles, posting a 2.76 ERA through three starts, which have spanned 16.1 innings. Martinez has made 13 starts on the year, posting a 2.43 ERA with 44 strikeouts. The right-hander has been the biggest riser for the Rays so far this season, pitching more than two runs lower than his expected ERA of 4.45.
Game 2
Justin Wrobleski returns to the mound for the Dodgers for the second game of the set, and will face off against right-hander Drew Rasmussen.
Wrobleski has been excellent for the Dodgers this season, posting a 2.95 ERA through 73.1 innings pitched. The left-hander has recently rediscovered the strikeout, making him all the more dangerous as an opponent.
Rasmussen has been just as good this season, though, posting a 2.71 ERA with 77 strikeouts through 73 innings pitched.
Game 3
Shohei Ohtani will make his customary start before an off day in the series finale, and will aim to bring his ERA back down below 1.00 in the outing. He will face off against Shane McClanahan.
Ohtani has been one of the Dodgers’ best pitchers all season, propelling himself into Cy Young conversations with his microscopic ERA and continuous scoreless outings. McClanahan is having a great season himself, though, posting just a 3.23 ERA with 66 strikeouts.
Will the Dodgers Hold Giveaways This Series?
The Dodgers have two giveaways planned for this series, the first of which comes in Monday night’s game. It will be Filipino Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium, and the team will give away jerseys with purchase of a special ticket package.
The second giveaway is on Tuesday, and will be a Dodgers Soccer Jersey to celebrate and promote the World Cup.
What are your predictions for the Dodgers’ series against the Tampa Bay Rays?
