How the savvy small-market Rays can be a Yankees ALDS nightmare on all fronts

Joel Sherman argues that the small-market Tampa Bay Rays present a serious postseason threat to the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Despite operating with modest payrolls and low attendance, the Rays have maintained sustained competitive excellence that rivals MLB's wealthiest franchises.

Sherman highlights that Tampa Bay has won three AL East titles since 2020 and reached the playoffs six times since 2019. Furthermore, the Rays boast baseball's third-best overall regular-season record dating back to 2008, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Yankees.