ST. PETERSBURG -- There is a phrase Shane McClanahan occasionally repeats when discussing his lofty expectations, one he brought up again Tuesday afternoon in the Rays clubhouse while discussing the high standard he sets for himself.
“If I’m here,” McClanahan said, “why not find out how good I can be?”
That was his mentality when he made himself one of the game’s best young starters and a two-time All-Star in 2022 and ‘23. After losing two and a half seasons to significant injuries, that mindset has guided McClanahan back to the top of his game.
After breezing through six shutout innings in his last start, McClanahan one-upped himself by holding the Yankees scoreless for 6 1/3 innings in the Rays’ 3-0 win on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.
McClanahan struck out five, didn’t issue a walk for the second straight start and pitched into the seventh inning for the first time since June 16, 2023. Now, McClanahan will head into the All-Star break with a 2.83 ERA in 17 starts. As good as the first number is, it’s safe to assume the latter means more given what he’s been through.
“I don't know if they were betting on that. But I'm pretty proud of the work, the work I've put in, and the ability to be standing here talking to you is just showing me that it's paying off,” McClanahan said Tuesday afternoon. “Hopefully continue that and roll into the second half ready to go.”
The Rays have done their part to keep McClanahan in the mix. He pitched on seven days’ rest in Kansas City, and the team slotted in another bullpen game in Houston on Sunday to give the left-hander two extra days of rest before Wednesday’s start.
Those decisions were ultimately made with McClanahan’s workload in mind. It’s unlikely he’ll throw more than 150 innings this season, and he’s worked 86 so far. But he’s showing no signs of wear and tear. In fact, he looks as good as ever.
McClanahan’s four-seam fastball averaged 96.7 mph against the Yankees, which was his exact average over a full season in 2022, and topped out at 98.9. His changeup was lethal, generating nine of his 12 swinging strikes and finishing four of his five strikeouts.
And he relentlessly attacked the strike zone, throwing 17 first-pitch strikes to the 22 batters he faced and 59 strikes among his 85 total pitches on the night.
After a couple misplays in the field recently, McClanahan even made a run-saving defensive effort in the second inning. With runners on the corners and one out, he calmly fielded a comebacker from Max Schuemann and flipped it from his glove to catcher Nick Fortes, who tagged out Jasson Domínguez at the plate.
That began a streak of 11 straight batters retired by McClanahan, who only allowed the Yankees to hit five balls out of the infield. He permitted a popped-up bunt single to José Caballero to lead off the sixth, but Fortes caught Caballero stealing second after McClanahan struck out Paul Goldschmidt.
The top of the order delivered McClanahan’s run support against Yankees starter Gerrit Cole. Yandy Díaz continued his return to form with a 4-for-4 night at the plate, and Jonathan Aranda went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.