cleveland
TAMPA, Fla. — Following a narrow 1-0 defeat in the series opener, the New York Yankees will look to even the American League Division Series against the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at Tropicana Field. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. Eastern.
Fans can catch the action on TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and Univision (Spanish). For those without a traditional cable subscription, DIRECTV is offering a free trial along with $35 off the first month, while SlingTV’s Sling Orange package, priced at $45.99 per month, includes TBS, TNT, ESPN, and other channels.
Yankees Look to Recover from Game 1 Shutout
In Game 1, the Yankees were held hitless for seven and one-third innings by Rays starter Drew Rasmussen before finishing with just one hit—a single by Austin Wells—in the 1-0 loss. It marked only the second time during the regular season that New York was limited to one hit in a game.
Gerrit Cole turned in a solid performance but received no run support, allowing one earned run on five hits over five innings while striking out five and walking one. The bullpen options for high-leverage situations include David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, and Brent Headrick, with Will Warren also available after pitching one and two-third innings in an AL Wild Card game.
Notably, back-to-back AL MVP Aaron Judge (calf) was left off the ALDS roster but would be eligible for the ALCS if the Yankees advance. Pitcher Clarke Schmidt (biceps) has been ruled out for the remainder of the postseason.
Yankees Players to Watch
Ben Rice: Rice has slugged 41 home runs and driven in 97 runs with a .264 batting average and .897 OPS. Over his last five games, he has eight hits, including two home runs, two doubles, and six RBI.
Cody Bellinger: Bellinger has contributed 17 home runs and 73 RBI with a .264 average and .768 OPS. He has three hits in his last five games, including one home run and four RBI.
Giancarlo Stanton: Stanton has three home runs and 14 RBI with a .256 batting average. He was added to the Wild Card roster after missing over five months with leg injuries and played his first game since April 24, striking out once against the Rays in Game 1.
Rays Ride Momentum from Game 1 Victory
Tampa Bay secured the 1-0 win behind a solo home run from Johnathan Aranda and Rasmussen’s dominant eight-inning, 10-strikeout performance. The Rays managed just five hits but made them count. Closer Bryan Baker earned the save with two strikeouts, while Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly, and Cam Booser remain reliable bullpen arms. Starting pitchers Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, and Nick Martinez are available if the Rays opt for a bold strategy to take a 2-0 series lead at home.
The victory snapped a seven-game postseason losing streak for Tampa Bay, which now holds a 4-2 postseason record against the Yankees.
Rays Players to Watch
Junior Caminero: Caminero has blasted 42 home runs with 101 RBI and a .276 batting average, posting an .885 OPS that ranks eighth in MLB. He has five hits in his last five games, including one home run and four RBI.
Yandy Diaz: Diaz has hit 22 home runs and driven in 85 runs with a .293 average and .805 OPS. He has eight hits in his last five games, including one double and four RBI.
Johnathan Aranda: Aranda has 22 home runs and 92 RBI with a .274 batting average and .792 OPS. He has three hits in his last five games, including one home run, one double, and one RBI.
Pitching Matchup: Schlittler vs. Peralta
The Yankees will send Cam Schlittler (14-6, 3.76 ERA) to the mound against the Rays’ Freddy Peralta (10-11, 4.42 ERA). Schlittler, an AL Cy Young frontrunner, ranked second in ERA, tied for third in strikeouts (239), and fourth in WHIP (0.92) during the regular season. The young right-hander has allowed one run or fewer in 10 consecutive starts, including a 10-strikeout, two-hit gem over six and one-third innings against the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card on Sept. 29.
Peralta, acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline, finished the regular season ranked in the top 40 in ERA, strikeouts (156), and WHIP (1.33). He has not allowed more than one earned run or five hits in each of his last six starts and was named Pitcher of the Month in September.
Broadcast and Betting Information
Brian Anderson will handle play-by-play duties, with Jeff Francoeur as analyst and Lauren Shehadi reporting from the field.
Latest odds: Spread – Yankees -1.5, Rays +1.5; Moneyline – Yankees -131, Rays +109; Run total – 6.5.
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Originally reported by cleveland.