ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays beat out the s for first within the AL East and gained extra video games than anybody within the league with one of many lowest payrolls enjoying an entertaining throwback fashion of aggressive baseball. They’ve three stars on the high of their lineup. They’ve a .300 hitter within the center who can fly.
They bunt for hits, squeeze runners dwelling and transfer runners higher than anybody. Their rotation and bullpen are deep. Their report in one-run video games was the most effective within the majors.
The Rays have the Yankees respect.
The Yankees additionally suppose they’re the higher staff heading right into a postseason showdown that appeared inevitable, a best-of-five Division Collection between the 2 greatest groups within the league.
“On the finish of the day, I feel we performed Tampa fairly properly this yr and I feel we’re in a great spot,” Yankees ace Cam Schlittler mentioned.
The Rays gained the season collection 7-6, however the Yankees really feel they’re peaking on the proper time with their 4 aces lastly all wholesome on the identical time.
They’ll all be unleashed on the Rays. Gerrit Cole will begin Saturday night time’s Sport 1 at Tropicana Subject, Schlittler will go Sport 2, then the Yankees will go to their lefties when the collection strikes to New York with Carlos Rodon in all probability beginning Sport 3 and Max Fried pitching Sport 4 if there’s no sweep.
The r can be deeper than the 26-man squad that simply swept the Pink Sox in a Wild Card Collection with 9-0 and 9-2 romps. Ryan Weathers is off the IL and accessible out of the bullpen, however Aaron Decide nonetheless isn’t able to return from his Grade 2 calf pressure.
The Yankees’ one change from their their Wild Card Collection roster was including Weathers for an Eleventh pitcher and dropping infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario.
Second baseman the Yankees will win the collection and Schlittler doubled down with “why would I disagree?”
The captain can be assured, no matter his standing.
“The Rays, they’ve received the whole lot,” Decide mentioned. “It’s a troublesome opponent. We’re up within the process. We noticed all of them yr. We had our battles, and we’re simply comfortable for the chance.”
Here’s a followers’ information to the Yankees-Rays Division Collection with a have a look at how the groups match up and position-by-position scouting stories from an MLB scout:
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Oct. 3: Sport 1, Yankees at Rays, 6:30 p.m. ET
Monday, Oct. 5: Sport 2, Yankees at Rays, 8 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Oct. 7: Sport 3, Rays at Yankees
Thursday, Oct. 8: Sport 4, Rays at Yankees, if essential
Thursday, Oct. 10: Sport 5, Yankees at Rays, if essential
PLAYOFF HISTORY
2020 ALDS: Rays gained collection 3-2.
2026 SEASON
Rays: Gained AL East with 98-64 report.
Yankees: Second in AL East with 93-68 report; Beat Pink Sox in Wild Card Collection 2-0.
Season collection: Rays 7-6.
In New York: Yankees 4-2
In St. Petersburg, Fla.: Rays 5-2.
Sport by recreation
April 10, Tropicana Subject: Rays 5, Yankees 3. WP-Steven Matz (3-0); LP-Luis Gil (0-1); S-Bryan Baker (2). Yankees HR-Ben Rice (4); Rays HR-Yandy Diaz (3).
April 11, Tropicana Subject: Rays 5, Yankees 3, 10 innings. WP-Cole Sulser (1-0); LP-David Bednar (0-2). Yankees HR-Austin Wells (1).
April 12, Tropicana Subject: Rays 5, Yankees 4, WP-Drew Rasmussen (1-0); S-Mason Englert (1). Yankees HR-Aaron Decide (4).
Could 22, Yankee Stadium: Rays 4, Yankees 2. WP-Ian Seymour (3-0); LP-Tim Hill (0-2).
Could 24, Yankee Stadium: Yankees 2, Rays 0. WP-Tim Hill (1-2); LP-Kevin Kelly (3-2). Yankees HR-Cody Bellinger (9); Jazz Chisholm (8).
June 6, Tropicana Subject: Yankees 5, Rays 1. WP-Cam Schlittler (9-5); LP-Griffin Jax (4-6). Yankees HR-Jose Caballero 2 (9, 10); Ben Rice (25).
June 7, Tropicana Subject: Rays 6, Yankees 4. WP-Ian Seymour (6-1); LP-Will Warren (7-4); S-Bryan Baker (24). Yankees HR-Ben Rice (26); Rays HR-Victor Mesa Jr. (4); Hunter Feduccia (2); Yandy Diaz (13).
July 8, Tropicana Subject: Rays 3, Yankees 0. WP-Shane McClanahan (8-5); LP-Gerrit Cole (3-4); S-Bryan Baker (25).
July 9, Tropicana Subject: Yankees 12, Rays 4. WP-Ryan Yarbrough (1-0); LP-Drew Rasmussen (7-5). Yankees HR-Ben Rice 2 (27, 28); Austin Wells (5); Rays HR-Junior Caminero (27).
Sept. 22, Yankee Stadium: Sport 1, Yankees 2, Rays 0. WP-Carlos Rodon (7-3); LP-Nick Martinez (15-5); S-David Bednar (35). Yankees HR-Cody Bellinger (17).
Sept. 22, Yankee Stadium: Sport 2, Rays 6, Yankees 1. WP-Drew Rasmussen (16-5); LP-Max Fried (5-5).
Sept. 23, Yankee Stadium: Yankees 9, Rays 2. WP-Gerrit Cole (10-9); LP-Mason Englert (0-4). Rays HR-Cedric Mullins (15); Yankees HR-Ben Rice 2 (40, 41); George Lombard Jr. (6); Ryan McMahon (11).
Sept. 24, Yankee Stadium: Yankees 6, Rays 4. WP-Bradley Hanner (1-0); LP-Steven Matz (5-6). Yankees HR-Austin Wells (14); George Lombard Jr. (7).
YANKEES INJURIES
OUT: RF Aaron Decide (calf); RHP Kervin Castro (elbow); RHP Fernando Cruz (UCL); RHP Clarke Schmidt (biceps).
RAYS INJURIES
PROBABLE: RHP Griffin Jax (again); LF Chandler Simpson (foot); RHP Tyler Wells (forearm).
QUESTIONABLE: LHP Garrett Cleavinger (forearm).
OUT: RHP Jonathan Heasley (elbow);2B Gavin Lux (shoulder);LHP Shane McClanahan (forearm); OF Jacob Melton (hamstring); RHP Ryan Pepiot (hip); RHP Edwin Uceta (shoulder).
YANKEES HITTERS VS. RAYS
Cody Bellinger, .213 common (10 for 47), 1 HR, 5 RBI, .522 OPS, 12 video games.
Jose Caballero, .220 common (9 for 41), 2 HR, 8 RBI, .628 OPS, 13 video games.
Jazz Chisholm, .229 common (8 for 35), 2 HR, 3 RBI, .643 OPS, 10 video games.
Luis Garcia Jr., .158 common (3 for 19), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .516 OPS, 6 video games.
Paul Goldschmidt, .083 common (2 for twenty-four), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .310 OPS, 8 video games.
Trent Grisham, .258 common (8 for 31), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .711 OPS, 9 video games.
Spencer Jones, .182 common (2 for 11), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .523 OPS, 3 video games.
George Lombard Jr., .313 common (5 for 16), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.063 OPS, 4 video games.
Ryan McMahon, .286 common (8 for 28), 1 HR, 7 RBI, .750, 10 video games.
Heliot Ramos, .214 common (6 for 28), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .493 OPS, 7 video games.
Ben Rice, .356 common (16 for 45), 7 HR, 12 RBI, 1.320 OPS, 13 video games.
Ali Sanchez, .300 common (3 for 10), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .573 OPS, 3 video games.
Giancarlo Stanton, .143 common (1 for 7), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .476 OPS, 3 video games.
Austin Wells, .138 common (4 for 29), 4 HR, 4 RBI, .816 OPS, 10 video games.
RAYS HITTERS VS. YANKEES
Jonathan Aranda, .167 common (7 for 42), 0 HR, 7 RBI, .427 OPS, 12 video games.
Junior Caminero, .204 common (10 for 49), 1 HR, 4 RBI, .565 OPS, 13 video games.
Jonny DeLuca, .265 common (9 for 34), 0 HR, 2 RBI, .629 OPS, 10 video games.
Yandy Diaz, .362 common (17 for 47), 2 HR, 10 RBI, .944 OPS, 12 video games.
Nick Fortes, .226 common (7 for 31), 0 HR, 0 RBI, .563 OPS, 11 video games.
Liam Hicks, .053 common (1 for 19), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .234 OPS, 6 video games.
Jorge Mateo, .167 common (1 for six), 0 HR, 0 RBI, .333 OPS, 3 video games.
Victor Mesa Jr., .294 common (5 for 17), 1 HR, 2 RBI, .863 OPS, 5 video games.
Cedric Mullins, .194 common (7 for 36), 1 HR, 1 RBI, .636 OPS, 11 video games.
Richie Palacios, .318 common (7 for 22), 0 HR, 5 RBI, .739 OPS, 9 video games.
Chandler Simpson, .304 common (14 for 46), 0 HR, 3 RBI, .739 OPS, 12 video games.
Ryan Vilade, .095 common (2 for 21), 0 HR, 2 RBI, .295 OPS, 7 video games.
Taylor Partitions, .286 common (10 for 35), 0 HR, 3 RBI, .673 OPS, 11 video games.
Ben Williamson, .227 common (5 for 22), 0 HR, 1 RBI, .593 OPS, 8 video games.
YANKEES STARTERS VS. RAYS
RHP Gerrit Cole, 1-1, 2.50 ERA, 3 begins, 18 IP, 12 hits, 7 BB, 16 Okay.
RHP Cam Schlittler, 1-1, 2.81 ERA, 3 begins, 16 IP, 14 hits, 3 BB, 21 Okay.
LHP Carlos Rodon, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 begin, 8 IP, 3 hits, 0 BB, 8 Okay.
LHP Max Fried, 0-1, 4.30 ERA, 2 begins, 14.2 IP, 12 hits, 2 BB, 10 Okay.
RAYS STARTERS VS. YANKEES
RHP Drew Rasmussen, 2-1, 2.86 ERA, 4 begins, 22 IP, 14 hits, 4 BB, 26 Okay.
RHP Freddy Peralta, 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 1 begin, 5 IP, 2 hits, 6 BB, 4 Okay.
RHP Nick Martinez, 0-1, 2.16 ERA, 3 begins, 16.2 IP, 19 hits, 5 BB, 12 Okay.
LHP Ian Seymour, 2-0, 2.45 ERA, 5 video games, 2 begins, 14.2 IP, 8 hits, 0 BB, 21 Okay.
RHP Griffin Jax, 0-1, 4.26 ERA, 3 video games, 1 begin, 6.1 IP, 1 hit, 3 BB, 13 Okay.
SCOUTING REPORTS
FIRST BASE
Yankees: Luis Garcia Jr. (.277, 30 HR, 92 RBI, .831 OPS).
Rays: Jonathan Aranda (.274, 22 HR, 92 RBI, 792 OPS).
Scout’s take: “Each groups have affect gamers at first base. I like Aranda, however the Yankees have held him down all season with their nice pitching. In the event that they try this on this collection, the Yankees can be in actual good condition. Garcia’s had an awesome yr. He’s a free swinger who retains getting higher as a hitter. He capitalizes on errors within the zone.”
Benefit: Yankees.
SECOND BASE
Yankees: Jazz Chisholm (.231, 19 HR, 55 RBI).
Rays: Richie Palacios (.235, 10 HR, 57 RBI, .704) vs. RHP; Ben Williamson (.238, 3 HR, 26 RBI) vs. LHP.
Scout’s take: “Jazz is enjoying for a contract and I feel he badly desires to win a championship. He’s motivated. Take a look at what he did towards Boston. He didn’t play towards the lefty in Sport 1, then he comes out in Sport 2 and will get a pair hits with a stroll. Tampa goes to be working out a bunch of righties on the Yankees this collection, so Jazz will in all probability be in there and I can see him having an enormous collection. Palacios and Williamson are unusual position guys. That’s all they’re.”
Benefit: Yankees.
SHORTSTOP
Yankees: George Lombard Jr. (.237, 7 HR, 22 RBI, .699 OPS).
Rays: Taylor Partitions (.222, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 21 SB, .607 OPS).
Scout’s take: “Lombard is 21 and he comes out towards Boston hitting .500 with a house run in his first two playoff video games. He was poised. He had good at-bats. Partitions is among the greatest defensive shortstops in baseball, however I don’t like him one bit as a result of it is a cocky man who’s by no means hit. If Partitions performed wherever else, he wouldn’t be enjoying each day.”
Benefit: Yankees.
THIRD BASE
Yankees: Ryan McMahon (.213, 11 HR, 31 RBI, .635 OPS) & Jose Caballero (.231, 14 HR, 51 RBI, .655 OPS).
Rays: Junior Caminero (.276, 42 HR, 101 RBI, .885 OPS).
Scout’s take: “Caminero is an rising famous person. He’s 23 with back-to-back 40-homer seasons. I don’t see the Yankees letting Caminero beat them. Boone gained’t make the identical mistake Boston did with Ben Rice within the Wild Card Collection. Pitch round Caminero as a result of he doesn’t miss a pitch within the zone. You understand what you’re getting with McMahon when he’s in there. He offers you good third-base play, however that’s it.”
Benefit: Rays.
RIGHT FIELD
Yankees: Heliot Ramos (.245, 13 HR, 46 RBI, .716 OPS).
Rays: Victor Mesa Jr. (.260, 14 HR, 34 RBI, .825 OPS).
Scout’s take: “Ramos can hit left-handed pitching, however he’ll be dealing with principally righties on this collection, so what sort of affect can he make? Mesa is fearless, he can hit the fastball and he’s a stable defensive participant.”
Benefit: Rays.
CENTER FIELD
Yankees: Spencer Jones (.245, 11 HR, 40 RBI, .742).
Rays: Cedric Mullins (.205, 15 HR, 48 RBI, .628) vs. RHP; Jonny DeLuca (.266, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 17 SB, .728 OPS vs. LHP.
Scout’s take: “You must put up with some punchouts with Jones, however he has an opportunity to hit it out of the ballpark and he performs first rate protection. DeLuca is an underrated participant with some pop, however I’m not a Mullins fan anymore. I was. Mullins doesn’t run like he used to. He’s outfielder, however inferior to he as soon as was.”
Benefit: Yankees.
LEFT FIELD
Yankees: Cody Bellinger (.264, 17 HR, 73 RBI, .768 OPS).
Rays: Chandler Simpson (.306, 0 HR, 38 RBI, 46 SB, .689 OPS).
Scout’s take: “I like ‘em each. Cody’s the complete bundle and I actually like Simpson. Cody rose to the event towards Boston. He is aware of he needed to do extra with Decide out, and he did. He’s additionally the most effective defensive left fielder within the American League, perhaps all of baseball. Simpson is contact oriented. He stays inside himself. He doesn’t attempt to hit the ball out of the ballpark and he’s the quickest man within the recreation. He’s desk setter. I’d take both of these guys on my staff.”
Benefit: Even.
CATCHER
Yankees: Austin Wells (.187, 14 HR, 32 RBI, .624 OPS).
Rays: Liam Hicks (.284, 18 HR, 82 RBI, .801 OPS).
Scout’s take: “Wells is driving a wave. He had the horrible first half, then he took a little bit time to get wholesome. He was a distinct hitter within the second half and simply had a heck of a Wild Card Collection. He’s turn into a fairly first rate catcher. I keep in mind watching Wells within the Fall League after he was drafted within the first spherical due to his bat. Nicely, he proved me improper. He does job behind the plate. He’s a part of the explanation why Yankees pitchers had the most effective ERA in baseball this yr. The Rays getting Hicks from Miami added one other huge risk to a lineup that was very high heavy with Diaz, Aranda and Caminero hitting one, two, three. Hicks is a good catch-and-throw receiver, too. This was an enormous get for Tampa as a result of they’ve by no means had a catcher who can hit. Hicks brings loads of offense. He’s the complete bundle.”
Benefit: Even.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Yankees: Ben Rice (.264, 41 HR, 97 RBI, .897).
Rays: Yandy Diaz (.293, 22 HR, 85 RBI, .825).
Scout’s take: “Each of those guys are big-time recreation changers. Rice has extra energy, however Diaz is a greater all-around hitter. You’ll be able to inform Rice went to Dartmouth as a result of he’s a sensible hitter. He appears for sure lanes. If the pitch isn’t in that zone, he gained’t swing till he will get to 2 strikes. That’s his kryptonite proper there. I’d pitch round him each time he’s up. Let Rice get himself out swinging at a foul pitch or stroll him. Let anyone else beat you. If the opposite guys beat me, so be it. Diaz is a clutch hitter who has the power to regulate the strike zone. This man is aware of his recreation as a hitter. He has energy, however he doesn’t attempt to hit homers.”
Benefit: Even.
ROTATION
Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodon (7-3, 2.67); RHP Cam Schlittler (14-6, 1.95); LHP Max Fried (5-5, 2.80); RHP Gerrit Cole (10-9, 3.61).
Rays: RHP Drew Rasmussen (16-5, 2.67); RHP Freddy Peralta (10-11, 4.42); RHP Nick Martinez (15-6, 3.10); LHP Ian Seymour (9-7, 4.21); RHP Griffin Jax (8-10, 3.53).
Scout’s take: “Schlittler is the most effective pitcher within the league and all 4 of their starters can get into the seventh inning. What number of groups can say that? Not many. That’s a rattling good playoff rotation. Shane McClanahan’s harm actually hurts Tampa. The Rays nonetheless have a bunch of No. 2 and No. 3 starters who can actually pitch, however McClanahan is their big-game starter, their ace. He’d give them a left-hander to set the tone towards a Yankees lineup that’s often full of left-handed bats. It is a huge loss for Tampa.”
Benefit: Yankees.
BULLPEN
Yankees: RHP David Bednar (7-3, 2.47. 35 saves); RHP Paul Blackburn (7-3, 1.69); LHP Brent Headrick (7-4, 2.18); RHP John Schreiber (5-2, 3.28); RHP Will Warren (11-6, 3.92), LHP Ryan Weathers (5-8, 3.60); Ryan Yarbrough (2-1, 3.69).
Rays: RHP Bryan Baker (4-2, 1.44, 41 saves); LHP Garrett Cleavinger (4-4, 4.79); LHP Cam Booser (1-0, 1.98); RHP Kevin Kelly (6-4, 2.44); LHP Steven Matz (6-6, 5.39); RHP Cole Sulser (1-0, 4.31); RHP Tyler Wells (5-2, 2.38).
Scout’s take: “There’s loads of good arms on each groups. I’m amazed what the Yankees are getting out of Blackburn. A few years in the past, I had curiosity in him for my staff, then I fell out of favor when his velo dropped. Now Blackburn is overpowering. A key for the Rays can be their lefties. They don’t have anybody like Headrick, however you higher imagine they’ll use all of them this collection to attempt neutralizing all these left-handed hitters within the Yankees lineup. Booser has been efficient, however he’s extra of a touch-and-feel man. He’s not going to strike Ben Rice out in an enormous spot. One other factor, all of Tampa’s left-handed relievers are vulnerable to errors left over the plate, particularly Matz. In the event that they try this, Tampa’s in bother.”
Benefit: Even.
BENCH
Yankees: Paul Goldschmidt (.252, 18 HR, 52 RBI); CF Trent Grisham (.211, 18 HR, 59 RBI); C Ali Sanchez (.244, 1 HR, 8 RBI, .577 OPS), Anthony Volpe (.245, 3 HR, 28 RBI, .658 OPS).
Rays: C Nick Fortes (.258, 6 HR, 35 RBI); INF Jorge Mateo (.203, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 19 SB, 559 OPS); INF/OF Ryan Vilade (.245, 11 HR, 45 RBI, .750 OPS); 2B Richie Palacios/Ben Williamson; OF Cedric Mullins/ Jonny DeLuca.
Scout’s take: “The Yankees have energy, athleticism and a few guys who can play completely different positions on their bench. Aaron Boone will be capable of power Kevin Money into some strikes that he actually doesn’t need to make as a result of the Yankees have extra of a surplus off the bench.”
Benefit: Yankees.
MANAGER
Yankees: Aaron Boone (970-575; 8 playoff berths, 1 pennant, 9th season).
Rays: Kevin Money, (994-848, 6 playoff berths, 1 pennant, twelfth season).
Scout’s take: “I’ve been an enormous Aaron Boone fan since he was in faculty at USC. I appreciated his recreation and his make-up. He’s turn into a very good supervisor in an enormous market to the purpose the place I feel Brian Cashman isn’t forcing the Yankees to stay and die over analytics. From the video games I’ve watched, I feel Boone has extra leeway to handle together with his head than he did in previous seasons. He does an awesome job yr after yr getting groups loaded with accidents into the playoffs and often profitable collection. I like Money, too. I like that he bunts rather a lot. Tampa has to play that means as a result of they don’t have the ability that the Yankees and loads of different golf equipment do. I feel there’s some micromanaging there with Money due to all this inundated analytics BS that Tampa does. It really works for them, however they haven’t introduced dwelling a world championship.”
Benefit: Yankees.
STATISTICAL MATCHUP
RUNS
Yankees: 4.59 per recreation (9th MLB, 3rd AL).
Rays: 4.54 per recreation (twelfth MLB, 4th AL).
AVERAGE
Yankees: .235 (26th MLB, 12th AL).
Rays: .258 (2nd MLB, 1st AL).
HOME RUNS
Yankees: 226 (2nd MLB, 2nd AL).
Rays: 169 (Twenty second MLB, 11th AL).
STOLEN BASES
Yankees: 153 (6th MLB, 2nd AL).
Rays: 164 (T-2nd MLB, 1st AL).
OPS
Yankees: .720 (11th MLB, 4th AL).
Rays: .728 (8th MLB, 2nd AL).
OPS vs. LEFT-HANDERS
Yankees: .733 (8th MLB, 4th AL).
Rays: .677 (25th MLB, 11th AL).
OPS vs. RIGHT-HANDERS
Yankees: .714 (18th MLB, 9th AL).
Rays: .752 (4th, MLB, 1st AL).
FIELDING PERCENTAGE
Yankees: .983 (T-Twenty secondMLB, T-14thAL).
Rays: .984 (T-19th MLB, T-Eleventh AL).
ERRORS
Yankees: 96 (22nd MLB, 14th AL).
Rays: 92 (twenty first MLB, 13th AL).
PITCHING
Yankees: 3.24 (1st MLB, 1st AL).
Rays: 3.70 (seventh MLB, 4th AL).
ROTATION
Yankees: 3.30 ERA (1st MLB, 1st AL).
Rays: 3.51 ERA (3rd MLB, 2nd AL).
BULLPEN
Yankees: 3.00 (2nd MLB, 2nd AL).
Rays: 3.99 (14th MLB, 8th AL).
PREDICTION
Randy Miller: The Rays had a greater common season, however their struggles towards left-handed pitching will hang-out them. … Yankees in 4.
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