Yankees Face Rays in ALDS as Aaron Judge Injury Decision Looms

The New York Yankees scored 18 runs and recorded 26 hits in a two-game sweep of the Red Sox while Aaron Judge remained sidelined with a strained calf.

The New York Yankees advanced to the American League Division Series after a two-game wild-card sweep of the Boston Red Sox, outscoring their rivals 18-8. New York recorded 26 hits, four home runs, and four stolen bases during the series while maintaining the lowest strikeout rate of any team in the opening round. Max Fried secured the clinching victory on Wednesday with six innings of work, as the Yankees' offense went 11-for-22 in left-on-left plate appearances.

Aaron Judge's status for the upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays remains undecided due to a strained calf muscle. The Yankees captain has missed over half the season, including three months with a broken rib during which the team averaged 4.22 runs per game. A final decision on his availability for Saturday's opener is expected shortly before game time, with the organization weighing his potential role as a designated hitter against the risk of further aggravation.

The top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays, who won 98 games this season, will start right-hander Drew Rasmussen in Game 1. Rasmussen posted a .199 opponent batting average over 172 innings during the regular season. He will face Gerrit Cole, while the Yankees plan to start AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler in Games 2 and 5. The Rays' offense led the American League in batting average and stolen bases, featuring a lineup headlined by Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero.

New York's pitching rotation for the best-of-five series includes Nick Martinez, Freddy Peralta, and Carlos Rodon. The Rays may counter the Yankees' left-handed heavy batting order with relievers Cam Booser, Ian Seymour, and Garrett Cleavinger, the latter of whom is expected to return from the injured list. Despite being outhomered 223-169 by New York in the regular season, Tampa Bay won the head-to-head season series.