The New York Yankees begin a crucial four-game series at home in Yankee Stadium beginning Tuesday, September 21.
The opponent? None other than the Tampa Bay Rays, who lead the Yankees by six games in the American League East standings.
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The Rays lead the East with a 95-60 record, entering play September 22.
The Yankees have an 89-66 record.
The Yankees still have a great path to the Major League Baseball playoffs, even if they can’t catch the Rays in the next seven games.
The Yankees lead all the American League Wild Card teams, leaving little doubt they will relinquish their hold on a Wild Card slot.
All seven remaining Yankees games are at home at Yankee Stadium, which is a huge advantage for New York.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 21, 2026: A closeup view of the New York Yankees logo on a New Era hat prior to a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Atlanta Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
New York Yankees Remaining Schedule:
The mlb.com Yankees home page lists the Yankees remaining seven games as follows:
September 22, double-header with the Rays at Yankee Stadium
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September 23 Rays at Yankee Stadium
September 24 Rays at Yankee Stadium
fangraphs.comlists the following pitching matchups for the upcoming four game series in New York:
September 22-LHP Carlos Rodon, LHP Drew Fried for New York vs. RHP Nick Martinez and RHP Drew Rasmussen for Tampa Bay in the double header
September 23- RHP Gerrit Cole for New York vs. LHP Steven Matz for Tampa Bay
September 24- RHP Cam Schlittler for New York vs. LHP Ian Seymour for Tampa Bay
It should be noted that Matz is usually used out of the bullpen, so the Rays may be planning on a bullpen game in Game 3.
September 25-vs Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium
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September 26-vs Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium
September 27-vs Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 11: A detail shot of the Tampa Bay Rays City Connect logo on a shirt prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mary Holt/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays Remaining Schedule:
The mlb.com Tampa Bay Rays home page lists the remaining Rays schedule:
September 22, double-header with the Yankees in New York
September 23-at New York Yankees
September 24-at New York Yankees
September 25-at Philadelphia Phillies
September 26-at Philadelphia Phillies
September 27-at Philadelphia Phillies
On paper, it appears the Rays may have the toughest schedule, as they have all remaining games on the road, while the Yankees will remain at home throughout the rest of the season.
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It’s toss-up if the fading Philadelphia Phillies will present more of a challenge to the Rays than the Baltimore Orioles will present a challenge to the Yankees.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Aaron Judge in the stands on Day Nine of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Monday, September 7, 2026 in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Michael Mooney/USTA via Getty Images)
New York Yankees Roster Issues:
In the upcoming series with Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees will be able to trot out a legitimate slugger against the Tampa Bay pitching.
Ben Rice has 39 homers, and 95 RBIs to lead New York. True, he has struck out 153 times in 551 at-bats, but he has walked 77 times as well.
All Star, All World Aaron Judge played his last game September 16, before returning to the MLB injured list.
Judge has played in only 66 Yankees games this year, and still has hit 18 homers, with 41 RBIs.
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espn.com notes The Yankees don’t have a return date for Judge, after he was placed on the Injured List with a coleus calf strain.
fangraphs.com noted that In addition to Judge, Giancarlo Stanton (strained calf) Jazz Chisholm Jr. (strained thumb) and Trent Grisham (strained hamstring) are all on the Injured list, impacting the Yankees offense considerably.
Pitcher Ryan Weathers is also disabled with a forearm strain.
Advantage-Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay has some mighty firepower in the form of third baseman, Junior Caminero. At 23-years-old, the right-handed slugger already has 41 homers and 97 RBIs in 592 at-bats.
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First baseman Jonathan Aranda has driven in 92 runs. He has 22 homers as well.
Second baseman Gavin Lux has been out all season with a shoulder impingement.
Outfielder Jacob Melton was recently disabled with a strained hamstring.
Starting pitchers Shane McLanahan (forearm tightness) and Ryan Pepiot (hip surgery) are out.
New York Yankees Series With Tampa Bay Rays-Conclusion:
1- New York is playing four home games with the Rays in Yankee Stadium, which is a huge advantage.
2- While the Yankees would like to sweep the Rays and cut the Tampa lead to two games, the Yankees are still fairly assured a Wild Card berth.
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3- The Yankees have some serious firepower missing in their lineup; as players Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham are all injured. So is pitcher Ryan Weathers.
4- The Rays will field a relatively healthy roster, led by slugging third baseman, Junior Caminero.
The New York Yankees will be playing four crucial games against American League East leading Tampa Bay, and a sweep would help their chances of winning a pennant.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
