Yankees Sending Gerrit Cole to the Mound vs. Rays’ Drew Rasmussen in Game 1 of AL Division Series – WTOP News
Judge has been limited to 66 games this season, and the Yankees chose extra recovery time before their best-of-five series with the Rays.
- On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the New York Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field for Game 1 of the American League Division Series, with veteran right-hander Gerrit Cole opposing Drew Rasmussen.
- Tampa Bay earned home-field advantage after finishing with an American League-leading 98 wins, hosting their first playoff game at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton's 2024 roof destruction necessitated nearly $60 million in repairs.
- Coming off a Wild Card sweep of the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees chose Gerrit Cole to start the opener following internal debate over Carlos Rodón, who posted a 1.42 ERA in September.
- Uncertainty surrounds three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge's availability due to a calf strain, while both clubs compete in a postseason rematch following the Rays' 2020 ALDS victory.
- The best-of-five series continues Monday in St. Petersburg before shifting to the Bronx for Game 3, with all games broadcasting on TBS and HBO Max as the winner advances to the American League Championship Series.
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125 Articles
Aaron Judge injury: Yankees playing long game with slugger, but how much time do they have left?
It does not matter how good the Yankees’ pitching might be if they can’t hit, and the absence of Aaron Judge — even a non-100% version of the superstar slugger — was certainly felt in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. New York’s lineup was neutralized by ace Drew Rasmussen, who...
An injury to the calf has kept the slugger Aaron Judge unplayed since September 16th.
Radio France Internationale
France24MVP Judge will miss Yankees' MLB playoff series against Rays
The three-time Most Valuable Player, battling a right calf strain that affects his ability to run, had vowed to do all he could to be ready for the Rays after missing the Yankees' two-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round. New York manager Aaron Boone left the decision to the last minute on Saturday morning -- hours before game one in the best-of-five series. Judge has battled multiple injuries this season, missing time with a …
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