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Rays’ Drew Rasmussen looks to baffle Yankees again in Game 1

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the American League East title and home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs with a resounding victory at Yankee Stadium on Sept.

Published: Friday, 2 October 2026 at 9:33 PM
Rays’ Drew Rasmussen looks to baffle Yankees again in Game 1
Key Things to Know
  • The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees on Saturday in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.
  • Drew Rasmussen starts for Tampa Bay against New York's Gerrit Cole in the series opener.
  • Aaron Boone has not confirmed if Aaron Judge will play following a right calf strain.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen takes the mound against New York ace Gerrit Cole. Rasmussen won 16 games and posted an AL-leading 0.91 WHIP this season, while Cole enters the opener following two dominant pitching displays by New York in the wild-card sweep of Boston.

New York manager Aaron Boone remains undecided on Aaron Judge's availability as the slugger works through a right calf strain. Tampa Bay holds home-field advantage after winning seven of 13 regular-season meetings against the Yankees.

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