Escape from New York...
The Yankees were the one team I didn't want to face in a short series with their deGrom/Cole combo and while it turned out I was right to fear deGrom the Rays had no problems with Cole and beat him a second time to take the ALDS in 5 games from the Yankees. Shane McClanahan was in good form and closed with a flourish, striking out the side in the 6th, and Josh Taylor went 6 up, 6 down to close it out. Meanwhile Juan Soto, named series MVP, set the tone with a first-inning solo shot against Cole and then Andrew Vaughn followed up with a 2-run blast to give the Rays all the runs they'd end up needing. So who will we be hosting in a couple of days at the Trop to open the ALCS? Let's see:
Like the Rays, the higher-seeded Royals were extended the distance but came through. Kansas City is no slouch, having won 99 games themselves this year and will give Tampa Bay all it can handle.
Also we're experiencing similar success on the farm as next year's projected starting RF Joshua Mears led Durham to a playoff series win:
