Somehow someway, the Tampa Bay Rays have managed to keep at the same pace as the scorching hot New York Yankees. The Yankees will either be nine or ten games up on the Rays depending on the result of their game on Tuesday against the Padres, but entering the day they have won eight of their last ten like the Yankees.
They haven’t faced great teams either, sweeping series with the Marlins and the Mariners but they are still in contention for the AL East (barely).
The Rays are a very dangerous team, and there’s a legitimate chance that Yankees-Rays could be an ALDS match-up.
The two teams are set to face off just two more times this year, but if the Yankees for some reason slide a bit, those two games could be crucial to decide the division winner.
The Rays do have an easier end of the season compared to the Yankees. They have seven games left with the Orioles, and three each with the Tigers and the Mariners. But, both teams have series remaining with the Red Sox, Indians, and Astros. Obviously the Red Sox are struggling and likely won’t be playing in October, but they are still extremely dangerous.
All the Yankees can do now is just keep the gas pedal down, continue to grind and win games. The team will just get healthier as the season winds down, including ace Luis Severino and 2017 MVP Giancarlo Stanton.
The Yankees control their own destiny, and will win the East if they continue to stay hot.