Here we go again. After besting the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series, the Yankees begin a Division Series matchup against the AL East champions for the second straight year in a row, this time drawing the Rays as opposed to last year’s Blue Jays. The tale of the tape is close between these two teams, the Rays narrowly winning the season series 7-6 after winning the second game of a doubleheader in their four-game series last week. The difference has been where the games have been played, as the Yankees were
2-5 in the Trop but 4-2 against them at Yankee Stadium. Overall the Rays have been the best home team in the league with a 55-26 record, but the Yankees are sending them a challenge as they get to start Gerrit Cole in Game 1 tonight despite having to run out two other aces in the Wild Card, and Cam Schlittler will start Game 2 having pitched to a sterling 1.16 ERA on the road this year. This could easily become a five-game heavyweight bout if the Yankees manage to steal one of these first two games before shifting back to the Bronx, and there’s some revenge on the line for Cole as well after the Rays spoiled his debut season in New York beating them in the 2020 ALDS.
We’ve got a lot to get through before gametime, starting with previews abound. Nick and Peter will both dive into the pitchers and hitters respectively that the Yankees have to worry about from Tampa Bay, and Estevao will preview Game 1 specifically as Cole lines up against Drew Rasmussen. The Arizona Fall League gets underway over the weekend as well, and Michael is on hand to go over the Yankees prospects participating. Kento looks back on the saga of Dave Winfield’s career as we celebrate his 75th birthday, and then we’ll be looking ahead to first pitch.
Today’s Matchup:
American League Division Series Game 1
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
TV: TBS/HBO Max, TruTV, Univision
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Questions/Prompts:
1. What are you expecting from Gerrit Cole tonight, and will we see Carlos Rodon used in relief of him?
2. Get your picks in for the other Division Series matchups: who wins between the White Sox/Guardians, Braves/Dodgers, and Padres/Brewers?
