After a thrilling opener, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays meet again tonight at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, a temporary home for the Rays after hurricane damage forced them out of Tropicana Field. The Yankees, riding a four-game win streak, are coming off a 6-3 victory powered by rookie Ben Rice’s four-hit performance, which has quickly made him a name to watch in the American League.
Tonight’s matchup features Yankees lefty Carlos Rodón (1-3, 5.4 ERA) against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 0.6 ERA), with first pitch set for:0 p.m. EDT. The Rays, who have struggled at home this season, are slight favorites, but the Yankees’ momentum and Rice’s hot bat could tip the scales.
The Rays’ move to Steinbrenner Field has created a unique atmosphere, with the stadium transformed in just four days to host Tampa Bay’s full home schedule. Fans can expect an intense AL East battle as both teams look to climb the standings—New York currently leads the division, while Tampa Bay seeks to rebound from a slow start.
All eyes will be on Ben Rice to see if his breakout continues and whether the Yankees can extend their streak in this unusual “road” environment.
