The Yankees and Rays have spent years turning AL East games into long, hard evenings, and now the rivalry gets its first true home-and-road postseason stage. Game 1 of the American League Division Series arrives Saturday at Tropicana Field, with Tampa Bay sending Drew Rasmussen to the mound and New York still deciding between Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón.
Key takeaways
- First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Tropicana Field, with TBS, truTV and HBO Max carrying the game.
- The Rays went 55-26 under the dome during the regular season, while the Yankees posted a 46-34 record at Yankee Stadium.
- Tampa Bay took the regular-season series by a 7-6 margin, though New York swept a four-game set in the Bronx after the Rays had clinched the division.
- Rasmussen brings a 5-2 record, 1.81 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 11 career regular-season appearances against the Yankees.
- New York expects Cam Schlittler to start Game 2 and, if the series reaches it, Game 5.
A rivalry finally gets its ballparks
For all the history between these clubs, this is only their second postseason meeting. Their first came in the 2020 ALDS, played at neutral-site Petco Park during the pandemic, and ended with Mike Brosseau’s decisive homer against Aroldis Chapman.
This time, the series begins in St. Petersburg before shifting to Yankee Stadium, with the winner advancing to the American League Championship Series. Since Tampa Bay’s 2008 rise from the bottom of the division, the Rays have captured five AL East crowns and the Yankees have taken six.
Yankees captain Aaron Judge said Tampa Bay’s style demands patience and attention. “They play sound, fundamental baseball and make you work through every game,” Judge said. “Those are the opponents you want. It should be a grind over the next five games, and our guys are ready for it.”
Spanish-language television coverage will air on UniMas, with Spanish radio coverage on TUDN Radio. ESPN Radio will carry national audio coverage throughout the 2026 postseason.
Rasmussen gets the ball as Yankees weigh their choice
Rasmussen is the clear Game 1 choice for Tampa Bay. The 31-year-old right-hander last faced New York at Yankee Stadium, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning while striking out 11 in the division-clinching win. He finished the regular season leading American League pitchers in WHIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio, ranking second in victories and fourth with a 2.67 ERA.
New York pitching coach Matt Blake said the Yankees will choose between Cole and Rodón. Cole went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay this season. Rodón made one start against the Rays and did not allow a run, finishing 1-0.
Rodón also had the stronger September, going 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA across four starts. Cole was 3-2 with a 5.08 ERA in five September outings and had occasional trouble keeping the ball in the yard. Cole had been lined up for a potential Wild Card Series Game 3, while Rodón was held in the bullpen for a possible Division Series assignment.
“Carlos and I are both ready to take the ball,” Cole said. “We do it in different ways. I’m excited about this opportunity. A lot of people behind the scenes helped make it possible, and that makes it mean even more.”
Projected Game 1 lineups
| Yankees | Rays vs. right-handed starter |
|---|---|
| 1. Ben Rice, DH | 1. Yandy Díaz, DH |
| 2. Cody Bellinger, LF | 2. Jonathan Aranda, 1B |
| 3. Luis García Jr., 2B | 3. Junior Caminero, 3B |
| 4. Spencer Jones, RF | 4. Liam Hicks, C |
| 5. George Lombard Jr., SS | 5. Chandler Simpson, LF |
| 6. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B | 6. Victor Mesa Jr., RF |
| 7. Trent Grisham, CF | 7. Cedric Mullins, CF |
| 8. Austin Wells, C | 8. Richie Palacios, 2B |
| 9. Ryan McMahon, 3B | 9. Taylor Walls, SS |
Tampa Bay’s alignment could change sharply if Rodón gets the nod. Ryan Vilade could play right field, Jonny DeLuca could move to center, Ben Williamson could take second base and Nick Fortes is an option behind the plate. Whatever the configuration, Díaz, Aranda and Caminero remain the heart of the order.
Judge remains a major roster watch for New York as he works back from a right calf strain. He took live at-bats Wednesday in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and could do so again before the club travels south. He had not yet run the bases as of Wednesday, though he has been doing outfield running. The Yankees averaged 5.12 runs per game with Judge in the regular-season lineup and 4.22 without him, but scored 18 runs while sweeping Boston in the Wild Card Series.
Rice enters hot, batting .365 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in his last 17 games dating to Sept. 10, postseason included. Wells has driven in 17 runs over his last 24 games after totaling 19 RBIs across his first 100. Lombard collected four hits and an RBI in the Wild Card round, while Bellinger drove in four runs in Game 2 against Boston, including a home run.
The Yankees are expected to expand from the 10-pitcher Wild Card staff toward a more typical 12-man pitching group. Tim Hill could return after being left off the previous round, and Ryan Weathers is nearing a return from a left flexor strain after touching 96 mph. David Bednar, Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick are candidates for major late-inning work.
Tampa Bay’s late relief picture begins with All-Star closer Bryan Baker, with Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser positioned for important outs if healthy and available. Wells ended the regular season on the injured list with a forearm issue. Kevin Cash could also use a starter in relief, including left-hander Ian Seymour, who handled the Yankees well during the season.
The Rays have several health questions beyond Wells. Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger also finished the season on the injured list with a forearm concern. Shane McClanahan will not pitch in this series, though his wider status remains uncertain. Simpson missed Tampa Bay’s final two regular-season games after fouling a ball off the top of his right foot; his speed is central to his game, and the artificial surface at Tropicana Field adds another detail to monitor.
Mesa may be Tampa Bay’s breakout candidate after batting .355 with a 1.015 OPS in September. Palacios logged a .981 OPS and five homers that month, while Aranda outperformed both Caminero and Díaz at the plate in September. The Rays’ rotation also enters October in strong form behind Rasmussen, September AL Pitcher of the Month Freddy Peralta, Griffin Jax and Seymour.
Not every Rays regular closed with momentum. Mullins struggled offensively down the stretch, Williamson was finding his footing after a significant hamstring injury, and Vilade’s power dipped in September. Díaz posted a .666 OPS for the month and Hicks finished at .668.
Fans headed to the opener are being encouraged to arrive early. Tropicana Field gates will open three hours before first pitch, and postseason parking will require a prepaid pass.
