Three teams swept their Wild Card matchups, but New York made the loudest statement of all.
The Yankees dominated their AL East rivals in consecutive matchups, winning 9-0 and 9-2. Ben Rice homered twice on Tuesday, to go with six and a third scoreless innings from the American League Cy Young award winner. The next day, New York overpowered 18-game-winner Sonny Gray with another gem on the mound, this time from Max Fried. The Sox went packing quick, as the Yankees head to Tropicana Field for a bout with the one-seed Rays.
Despite the Rays regular season dominance (98-64), the Rays and Yankees are evenly favored at -110, according to FOX Sports. New York’s Wild Card dominance, rested pitching staff, and overall Postseason experience raises a key question: Are the Yankees the best team in the American League right now?
“Right now” is important. Tampa Bay paced the American League in the 2026 regular season, led by young MVP candidate Junior Caminero. To the Yankees end, they finished with the AL’s second best record at 93-68.
There’s something missing though… a historically-great right-handed slugger who basically lives above 40 homers every season. I’m talking about Aaron Judge, of course. The Yankee captain missed nearly 100 games in 2026, and one could argue that Judge was the difference between the Yankees and the Rays this season. Tampa Bay boasted Caminero and his 42 home runs, while Judge camped out in the Yankees dugout for most of the season.
However, the Yankees and Judge can slash that narrative this weekend.
Will Judge suit up against Tampa?
Aaron Judge’s status for the Wild Card round was up in the air, to put it lightly. Judge himself was determined to patrol right field on Tuesday night, and his manager Aaron Boone mentioned he was “making progress,” to the media. Most initial signs actually pointed towards Judge playing in the Wild Card matchup with Boston.
However, Boone didn’t even appoint Judge to the Wild Card roster on Tuesday morning. He didn’t even suit up for a potential pitch hitting appearance, or any capacity of game action. This leaves his status for for the Division Series even more unpredictable.
If he does, the Rays could find themselves in trouble on the mound. New York is fresh off of two strong showings against stout arms in Gray and Payton Tolle. Getting Judge back in the middle of their lineup brings the Yankees even more momentum.
With Judge on the roster, there’s no pitching around Ben Rice anymore. Suddenly, you’re facing two 40-homer talents in the middle of an already-hot lineup.
The playoff experience
The Rays are very new to the Postseason in comparison to New York. Their key contributors, Jonathan Aranda, Liam Hicks, Chandler Simpson and Caminero are all strangers to the Postseason. Only Aranda appeared in one game of the 2023 Wild Card series. Otherwise, October is a brand new stage for the Rays offensive core.
Meanwhile, the Yankees went to the World Series just two years ago. They’re regulars in the Postseason, qualifying in nine of the last ten seasons. The Rays on the other hand, are returning to the Postseason after a two-year absence. Then you factor in overarching history: 27 rings for New York, compared to zero for Tampa Bay. Obviously, the teams on the field are the ones that matter, but themes of winning develop for a reason.
Tampa Bay will have their work cut out for them this Saturday. After a magical regular season, their legitimacy faces a major test. In fact, the’ll face the hardest test within their own league.
The Rays went 7-6 versus New York in the regular season. We will see, starting this weekend, if that success can hold up.
