By Could the Rays Have Two Top-Five AL Cy Young Finishers? Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez Are Making a Strong Case
By Ken Filler | Tampa Bay Sports Journal
As the Tampa Bay Rays enter the stretch run of the 2026 season with the best record in the American League, much of the attention has centered on their explosive offense and aggressive trade deadline additions.
But one of the biggest reasons the Rays sit atop the AL East remains their pitching.
And if things continue the way they have through the first four months of the season, Tampa Bay could accomplish something few teams ever do: finish with two starting pitchers in the top five of the American League Cy Young Award voting.
Drew Rasmussen has been viewed as the Rays’ ace all season, but veteran Nick Martinez has quietly put together one of the most efficient seasons in baseball.
Together, they’ve given manager Kevin Cash one of the best one-two punches in the American League.
Drew Rasmussen Has Been Tampa Bay’s Ace
Rasmussen has been everything the Rays hoped for and more.
The right-hander enters the season’s final two months with:
- 10-5 Record
- 2.91 ERA
- 117.1 Innings Pitched
- 122 Strikeouts
- 0.93 WHIP
- Opponents batting just .208 against him.
While wins are no longer the deciding factor in Cy Young voting, Rasmussen checks nearly every traditional and advanced box.
His combination of swing-and-miss stuff, elite command and ability to limit baserunners has made him one of baseball’s most dependable starters.
Rasmussen was also named the American League Pitcher of the Month for June, becoming one of the driving forces behind the Rays’ rise to the top of the AL East.
Perhaps most impressive has been his consistency.
Aside from one or two rough outings, Rasmussen has regularly pitched into the sixth and seventh innings while giving Tampa Bay a chance to win every fifth day.
Nick Martinez Has Become One of Baseball’s Best Free-Agent Signings
When the Rays signed Nick Martinez, expectations were modest. But he has become one of the biggest bargains in Major League Baseball.
Martinez owns:
- 11-3 record
- 2.65 ERA
- 129 Innings
- 1.10 WHIP
- 174 ERA+
- Just 20 walks all season.
Martinez doesn’t overwhelm hitters with overpowering velocity or eye-popping strikeout totals.
Instead, he attacks the strike zone, changes speeds, limits walks and consistently induces weak contact.
That style may not generate highlight reels, but it wins games.
His outstanding ERA and remarkable consistency have kept him squarely in the Cy Young conversation despite fewer strikeouts than many of the league’s power pitchers.
Different Styles, Same Results
What makes the Rays’ rotation unique is that Rasmussen and Martinez dominate in completely different ways.
Rasmussen relies on premium stuff. His electric fastball, devastating cutter and ability to miss bats allow him to escape trouble before it starts.
Martinez takes the opposite approach. He works quickly, pounds the strike zone and trusts Tampa Bay’s outstanding defense to convert balls in play into outs.
It’s a reminder that there is more than one way to become an elite starting pitcher.
The Competition Will Be Fierce
Winning the American League Cy Young Award won’t be easy.
Several elite starters remain firmly in the race, including pitchers such as Cam Schlittler, Dylan Cease, Sonny Gray, and Gavin Williams who boast elite strikeout numbers and impressive advanced metrics.
That could make Rasmussen’s strikeout totals particularly valuable as voters compare resumes.
Martinez, meanwhile, may face questions from some voters because his strikeout rate isn’t as dominant, even though his run prevention has been among the league’s best.
Advanced metrics such as FIP tend to be less favorable to Martinez than his ERA, which could influence some ballots.
Still, Cy Young voting has always rewarded pitchers who consistently prevent runs and help their clubs win, and Martinez has done exactly that.
A Historic Achievement for Tampa Bay
The Rays have produced Cy Young winners before.
Blake Snell captured the award in 2018, while David Price won it in 2012.
Having two pitchers finish in the top five in the same season, however, would underscore just how dominant Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has been in 2026.
It’s also a testament to the organization’s pitching development.
Whether it’s identifying undervalued veterans like Martinez, maximizing Rasmussen’s elite arsenal, or consistently building one of baseball’s deepest pitching staffs, the Rays continue to outperform clubs with significantly larger payrolls.
The Final Two Months Will Decide Everything
With roughly 50 games remaining, both Rasmussen and Martinez have plenty of opportunities to strengthen their Cy Young résumés.
If Rasmussen continues piling up strikeouts while maintaining one of the league’s lowest WHIPs, he’ll remain firmly in the race.
If Martinez keeps posting quality starts, limiting walks and leading one of baseball’s best teams to victories, voters will have a difficult time overlooking his remarkable season.
The Cy Young Award may ultimately belong to only one pitcher.
But for the Rays, having two legitimate top-five candidates would be another sign that this club possesses the pitching depth needed for a deep postseason run—and perhaps its best chance yet to bring a World Series championship to Tampa Bay.
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Could the Rays Have Two AL Cy Young Finalists? Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez Are Making Their Case
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The Tampa Bay Rays could have two pitchers finish in the top five of the 2026 AL Cy Young voting. Here’s why Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez are both legitimate contenders.
