Yankees news: Aaron Boone wants new shot at Rays after falling short in AL East race
· Yahoo Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is already looking toward a potential postseason rematch with the Tampa Bay Rays after watching his division rival clinch the AL East at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. The Rays secured the division with a 6-1 victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader after the Yankees took the series opener 2-0.
The loss ended the team’s pursuit of the 2026 AL East divisional crown, although New York secured home-field advantage for its upcoming best-of-three Wild Card Series. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, SNY Yankees shared a clip of Boone addressing the possibility of seeing Tampa Bay again during the 2026 MLB postseason.
“Hopefully, we get another crack at them in the next couple weeks. They’ve certainly earned the division.”
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"Hopefully, we get another crack at them in the next couple weeks. They've certainly earned the division."
Aaron Boone talks about the Rays clinching the AL East at Yankee Stadium: pic.twitter.com/3FAQLQaSO1
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) September 23, 2026
Tampa Bay improved to 96-61 and captured its fifth AL East title and first since 2021. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before finishing with 11 strikeouts and allowing one hit across 6 2/3 innings. Yandy Diaz added two two-run singles in the clinching victory.
The Yankees finished Tuesday at 90-67 after Carlos Rodon delivered eight scoreless innings in a 2-0 win earlier in the day. New York will enter the postseason as the American League’s top Wild Card team and host a best-of-three opening-round series beginning September 29.
A potential rematch with the Rays would require the Yankees to advance through the Wild Card Series. Tampa Bay earned a first-round bye and will open its postseason in the AL Division Series.
The Yankees could also enter October without Aaron Judge. Boone said Tuesday that New York does not expect its captain to be available for the Wild Card Series because of his right calf strain. For now, the Yankees turn their attention from the division race to their postseason opener.
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