The American League East’s top two clubs are set for a short, sharp October test, with the Yankees and Rays opening their best-of-five AL Division Series on Saturday at Tropicana Field. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, and while Tampa Bay has named Drew Rasmussen, New York is expected to hand the ball to Gerrit Cole.
Yankees weigh Cole and Rodón for the opening turn
New York reached this round behind the same strength that carried it through much of the regular season: its pitching. That staff held up in the Wild Card Series against Boston, prompting right-hander Cam Schlittler to say the club can be “capable of dominating the World Series” if it continues pitching at its present level.
The Yankees now face a different kind of pressure from Tampa Bay, a club built to put balls in play, keep innings moving and force opponents to execute defensively.
- Game 1: Gerrit Cole is the leading option. Aaron Boone said Cole is positioned to start Saturday after being ready for a potential Thursday Game 3 against the Red Sox. Cole went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts against the Rays during the regular season, though September brought some trouble with the long ball.
- Game 2: Cam Schlittler is expected to pitch. The likely AL Cy Young Award winner finished with a 1.95 ERA and followed that regular-season dominance with a strong postseason outing against Boston in Game 1. His last appearance against Tampa Bay came Sept. 24, when he worked three innings in a shortened playoff preparation start.
- Game 3: Carlos Rodón remains a possibility, and there is a case for putting him ahead of Cole. Rodón closed the season well, including eight scoreless innings against the Rays on Sept. 22. He had been preparing to start the Wild Card opener if the Boston series had reached a deciding game.
Rasmussen gets the call as Rays keep the rest under wraps
Tampa Bay had the benefit of a first-round bye, but Kevin Cash has confirmed only one starter. Rasmussen will take the mound in Game 1, while the Rays continue to keep their broader pitching plan private.
The club’s five-man group of Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, Nick Martinez, Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour all finished the regular season in good form. In a series this brief, only three may receive starts, but Cash has plenty of room to use the others early, especially if the Rays can gain an advantage in the opening games.
Rasmussen’s record against New York stands out
Rasmussen earned the early assignment with a season that placed him among the league’s finest starters. The right-hander finished 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA, fourth best in the American League. His 0.91 WHIP led the league, and his 5.44 strikeout-to-walk ratio also ranked first.
His history against the Yankees is just as compelling. Across 11 games, including 10 starts, Rasmussen owns a 5-2 record, a 1.81 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP against New York.
Peralta, Jax and Martinez give Cash several paths
The Rays have left open nearly every option behind Rasmussen. Peralta or Jax could start Game 2 at Tropicana Field, work in relief during the opener, be saved for Yankee Stadium, or be held back for extra innings or an unexpected early exit. The uncertainty is part of Tampa Bay’s advantage.
- Freddy Peralta: The September AL Pitcher of the Month went 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA across his final six regular-season starts. In four home starts for Tampa Bay, he posted a 1.69 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. His ability to miss bats could be particularly useful in the more hitter-friendly setting of Yankee Stadium.
- Griffin Jax: The converted reliever surrendered one run on nine hits and three walks over 18 innings in his final four starts. His strikeout totals were notably stronger at home, where he struck out 77 in 60 innings, compared with 39 strikeouts in 52 1/3 road innings.
- Nick Martinez: Martinez offers the Rays a steady veteran presence for a potential Game 3 in New York. Tampa Bay went 22-9 in his starts, and the All-Star right-hander was better away from home, producing a 2.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP on the road versus a 3.90 ERA and 1.20 WHIP at Tropicana Field.
Peralta has an added element of unfamiliarity. The Yankees have not faced him since he joined Tampa Bay and rediscovered his “Fastball Freddy” form. They did see him with the Mets on May 17, when he allowed three runs over five innings while issuing six walks.
For the Rays, the first confirmed move is clear: Rasmussen gets the ball Saturday. Beyond that, Cash has five capable arms and a five-game series that may require every bit of improvisation Tampa Bay can muster.
