Rays close stellar regular season, await Red Sox-Yanks winner in ALDS

The Tampa Bay Rays concluded their regular season with a 7-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Despite the defeat, Tampa Bay officially secured the top seed in the American League, earning a first-round bye directly into the AL Division Series. The Rays will host the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees starting on October 3 at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay finished the campaign with 98 victories, marking the third-highest regular-season win total in franchise history. Outfielder Jonny DeLuca hit two home runs in the finale, while the club held home-field advantage with a 55-26 home record. To prepare for the ALDS during the prolonged break, the Rays scheduled intrasquad scrimmages on Tuesday and Thursday.