In a series that featured the Tampa Bay Rays plating double digit runs twice and out scoring the Houston Astros, 30-9 there are several players worthy of receiving this accolade. There was Junior Caminero doing something that only a few other 21-year olds in baseball history have done. Taj Bradley was excellent over 7 IP in a pitcher’s duel on Friday. However, Zack Littell receives the honor once again.

On Saturday afternoon, Zack Littell threw the first complete game for the Rays since June 3rd, 2021 when Ryan Yarbrough went the distance against the New York Yankees. Three players from the Rays starting lineup that day still remain with the team: Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, and Taylor Walls.

The complete game must have been immensely satisfying and fulfilling for Littell who many wondered entering the season if he would have a role in the Rays starting rotation. However, Littell has proven himself over the past few seasons to be among the most consistent and durable pitchers on the Rays roster and is a workhorse. Thus far in 2025, Littell has notched eight quality starts (at least 6 IP with 3 ER or less) and is currently 10th in IP.

During the game on Saturday, Littell wasn’t at his best and managed to work out of multiple jams. However, at one point he had set down 11 Astros in a row and kept his pitch count low enough that Kevin Cash stuck with him. Entering the bottom of the 9th, Littell was at 96 pitches and the Rays had taken a commanding 16-3 lead and thus Littell was given the opportunity to complete the game. Houston eventually loaded the bases with two outs, but Littell was still in the game and proceeded to unleash perhaps the nastiest breaking ball of his career to strike out Brendan Rogers with his 117th and final pitch of the game.

Overall, Littell threw 9 innings and allowed 3 runs on 10 hits, while he walked one and struck out six.

Littell, 29, is now in his 8th big league season and 3rd as a member of the Rays and also as a full time starting pitcher. The conversion to the rotation has been an excellent transition for Littell who has proven himself capable of working late into games.

Entering play on Tuesday, Littell currently sports a 5-5 record with a 3.86 ERA | 5.14 FIP with a 16.2 K% and a 3.7 BB% over 74 2⁄3 IP.

DRAYSBAY PLAYER OF THE SERIES

1st: Kameron Misner
2nd: Jake Mangum
3rd: Brandon Lowe
4th: Jose Caballero
5th: Joe Boyle
6th: Shane Baz
7th: Chandler Simpson
8th: Christopher Morel
9th: Chandler Simpson
10th: Mason Englert
11th: Taylor Walls
12th: Yandy Diaz
13th: Travis Jankowski
14th: Brandon Lowe
15th: Drew Rasmussen
16th: Curtis Mead
17th: Junior Caminero
18th: Zack Littell
19th: Zack Littell