Up Next: The Alds, The Rays & The Bubble!

There’s nothing like calling a rain delay when it ISN’T raining and then starting the game when it’s pouring. Not sure who exactly messed that up but that’s just bizarre. At least when the bad weather finally passed and the game got started it was entertaining. I was glad to finally get the win and move on but….you know what that means, right?

The RAYS are waiting for us. Yeah, those guys. The new pain in our butts that really made us look stupid during the regular season. The Rays also just made a sweep of the Blue Jays. Both of us are running on momentum….but I am willing to bet that they feel even better than we do right now.

Maybe it is weird that I am not upset about the Rays winning the AL East this season. Maybe if this weren’t a shortened 60-game season it would hurt a little more. They can have the division title….I am more bothered that they beat us during the regular season series 8-2. The Rays have been beating us all season, so playing against them in the postseason is a scary thought. We already know what the Rays are capable of but….did you see them against the Blue Jays?

Here is what the Yankees should study up on:

1. The Rays outfield is dangerous in the field and in the box

During the offseason, the Rays traded for outfielders Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe and both guys did some damage against the Blue Jays. Margot hit a two-run home run in game one, and Renfroe hit a Grand Slam yesterday. They also have another outfielder on the bench named Randy Arozarena who also had four hits in eight at-bats and two of those were doubles.

2. The Rays have power arms in the pen

The Rays have a good closer and they have good arms to bridge to their closer. There’s not one person that Kevin Cash will rely on, but many. The Rays have used 13 different pitchers this season to close out games. The 12 different pitchers they used during the regular season tied a major league record. The Rays know what to expect at the end of our games, but Kevin Cash could literally throw just about anyone at us.

3. Strong, steady starters are waiting

Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow both pitched good games. Snell held the Blue Jays to one hit and no runs and Glasnow struck out eight over six innings. They also have Charlie Morton who did not have to pitch, and is dealing with some recent shoulder inflammation. If Morton is in fact healthy and pitches effectively, the Yankees will have their hands full with three good pitchers. 

The Yankees will need Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka to be dominant and keep the Rays off balance. As good as their pitching will be, ours needs to be better and our bats need to the do their part. The Rays lost to Gerrit Cole last year in games 2 and 5 of the ALDS, we need that trend to continue. Cole is the key, and Tanaka’s proven postseason record is crucial to our success.

The bubble is waiting for us in San Diego, and so are the Rays. This won’t be easy….but it can be done. What do you think the Yankees need to do to beat the Rays? Comment and tell us.