The Yankees handled the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series, and now the focus shifts to a tighter, trickier matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.
Tampa Bay earned the better seed by finishing five games ahead of New York in the AL East, which also gave the Rays home-field advantage and a bye through the Wild Card round. Even with that edge, the season series was close. The Rays went 7-6 against the Yankees, a reminder that these teams spent most of the year trading punches.
There’s recent history here, too. Tampa Bay knocked off New York in the 2020 ALDS on its way to a World Series appearance. This postseason run is the Rays’ first since 2023, and they have not won a playoff game since 2021.
The Yankees may also be getting Aaron Judge back for the ALDS, which obviously matters. They arrived here after dispatching the Red Sox quickly, and they just saw the Rays last week at Yankee Stadium, where New York took three of four at home. Tampa Bay did not have much on the line in that series, but it still adds a little texture heading into this rematch.
Home field should matter, especially in a short series. The Rays were excellent at home, going 55-26, while the Yankees were strong everywhere, posting a 46-34 mark at home and a 47-34 record on the road.
Pitching depth could tilt the opener toward Tampa Bay as well. The Yankees used Cam Schlittler and Max Fried on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving their Game 1 starter uncertain.
The Rays, meanwhile, have Rasmussen coming in after a strong regular season. In a five-game series, the first game carries real weight.
Judge’s status is a major piece of the puzzle, but even with that in play, the Rays still stand as the side to like at -110.
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Sonny Grays Wild Card Exit Has Red Sox Fans Debating One Thing
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Yankees Just Exposed A Red Sox Problem Their Own Stars Couldnt Ignore
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Grays own reaction underscored the tension behind the decision-making. He said he wanted to keep going and believed he was still effective even as the lineup came around for a third look, while Willson Contreras suggested the call to pull Gray may have leaned too heavily on data instead of experience. For a Red Sox team that could not afford any cracks in the pitching plan, the choice to go to the bullpen ended up looking like the biggest one of all. [Read more 🡒]