What Rays Fans Need to Know About a Potential ALDS Matchup With Yankees

The Tampa Bay Rays will get some much-needed rest this week while the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox battle it out in the American League Wild Card Series.

While we anxiously wait for their next opponent, Rays fans can pay close attention to the upcoming battle between two division foes. 

Tampa Bay will host the winner beginning Saturday in the American League Division Series, and the Yankees present some interesting challenges if they advance.

It definitely starts with the pitching staff.

New York will send Cam Schlittler to the mound for Game 1 against Boston after an incredible regular season. The right-hander finished with a 1.95 ERA across 193.2 innings while striking out 239 batters. 

A true Cy Young candidate, and Tampa Bay has already seen him.

The Rays faced Schlittler during their final trip to Yankee Stadium, part of a difficult stretch that also included matchups against Max Fried and Gerrit Cole. That could certainly come in handy if the Yankees were to advance. 

That's exactly why I liked Tampa Bay's final week, as well as all the tough opponents at the end of the regular season so much.

The Rays didn't get an easy road into October. They were forced to face some of the best pitching in baseball, and that's exactly what they'll see again if New York advances.

Fried is expected to start Game 2 against Boston. He returned from the injured list in late August and posted a 2.73 ERA over his final five starts, allowing just one run in four of them.

Then there's Cole.

The veteran returned from Tommy John surgery in May and finished with a 3.61 ERA across 127 innings. This season, he hasn't been signature Gerrit Cole, but with the depth of the starting lineup for the Yankees pitching staff, he hasn't had to be 

The bigger question for New York might be its lineup. Especially with the questions surrounding their star slugger.

Aaron Judge's availability remains uncertain after landing on the injured list with a right calf strain. Judge has expressed hope that he can return, but his status will be something Rays fans should monitor throughout the Wild Card Series.

Without Judge, New York becomes a much different challenge.

The Yankees still finished second in the American League with 4.59 runs per game, but their biggest strength has been preventing runs. New York allowed just 3.73 runs per game, the best mark in the AL.

That's what makes this potential matchup interesting.

If the Yankees survive Boston, Tampa Bay should have a pretty good idea of exactly what's coming Saturday.