Carlos Rodon isn’t pretending the Rays are an easy draw.
As the Yankees and Tampa Bay get set for what should be one of the most intriguing Division Series matchups, Rodon gave a clear-eyed read on what the Rays bring to the table. New York may have the kind of roster that stacks up with anyone in the American League, but Tampa Bay has spent years making people pay for overlooking it.
“They have some good pitching,” said Rodon, per the Daily News. “They play good defense.
They’ll take the extra bag. They’re gonna be running.
They’re gonna be bunting. You don’t see that in the game much anymore, but it’s worked for them.
They’re a solid club. They play well, so it should be a good series.”
That kind of respect matters, especially from a Yankees team that has been one of the AL’s best this season and enters the series with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. There’s a strong case that New York is the more complete team from top to bottom, but the Rays have made a habit of staying dangerous.
Rodon will be a major piece of the Yankees’ chances. The left-hander has been one of the better starters in baseball over the last couple of seasons, and he heads into the series coming off a strong final regular-season start. Against Tampa Bay, he worked 8.0 innings of three-hit ball and struck out eight.
If the Yankees get that version of Rodon in the ALDS, they’ll like their position a lot.
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Rays Just Sent Yankees A Clear Message With This Game 2 Move
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For Game 2, Tampa Bays lineup sent a message of its own by going with DeLuca over Mullins against Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. It is the sort of decision that reflects how the Rays operate at this time of year, favoring current form and specific history over reputation, even with Mullins having arrived as a notable offseason addition. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Cash Sent Rays Fans A Very Different October Message
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It was the kind of postseason decision that can define a series before it really starts, especially for a Rays team that has long been built around pitching judgment and nerve. After Rasmussen finished his job, Bryan Baker was asked to finish it off, and he did just that by striking out a key Yankees hitter to seal the 1-0 win and give Tampa Bay an early edge. [Read more 🡒]
Chandler Simpson Is Giving Rays Fans A New Reason To Believe
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Offensively, Simpson has kept forcing opposing clubs to adjust, and Rays manager Kevin Cash has pointed to his ability to adapt as defenses and pitch plans change around him. Simpson finished second in the American League batting average race and led the league in multi-hit games and singles, production that makes him a problem even when teams think they have the right approach. For a Rays club always looking for the next edge, Simpson is becoming the kind of everyday difference-maker that can shift the tone around the roster. [Read more 🡒]