The final week of the regular season has arrived and every team has six games remaining except two, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees and Rays each have seven games remaining because they have a doubleheader Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, and will play four times in the next three days. This series is New York's last gasp in the AL East.
The Yankees and Rays are the only two teams in the AL East race. The other three clubs have been mathematically eliminated. Here is the top of the division standings, which also doubles as the top of the American League standings: Whichever team wins the AL East will also get the AL's No. 1 seed and a Wild Card Series bye.
That has already been determined. It's not possible for the AL Central or AL West winner to be the No. 1 seed. Obviously, that six-game lead puts Tampa in the driver's seat.
It is the favorite to win the AL East, even if it has not yet been clinched. "We're going to show up Tuesday and try to kick their butt," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said over the weekend (via the New York Post). "Simple as that, and we'll keep it simple." Here are the details for this week's four-game series in New York.
Select games can be streamed on fubo (Try for free). LHP Carlos Rodón (6-3, 2.95) vs. RHP Nick Martinez (15-4, 2.94) LHP Max Fried (5-4, 2.63) vs.
RHP Drew Rasmussen (15-5, 2.72) Lefty Ian Seymour and righty Freddy Peralta line up to start Wednesday and Thursday for the Rays, respectively. Tampa is listing TBAs because, if it takes care of business Tuesday and clinches the AL East title, it can take its foot off the gas, push Seymour and Peralta back, and give them extra rest. Tuesday's doubleheader will make up a May 23 rainout, by the way.
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