Rays seek AL East crown, top seed in series against Yankees

Chicago and San Diego can also clinch Postseason berths.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 221 min read

-The Rays begin a four-game series with the Yankees, needing one win to claim the AL East and the No. 1 seed in the AL -

What happened: The Tampa Bay Rays open a four-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, needing just one victory to clinch the American League East and the top seed in the AL. Elsewhere, the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are positioned to secure Postseason berths, while the Philadelphia Phillies host the Milwaukee Brewers.

Why it matters: A single win at Yankee Stadium guarantees Tampa Bay home-field advantage through the American League playoffs. A victory for Chicago or San Diego would secure their spots in October and further clarify the National League Postseason picture.

By the numbers: Tampa Bay enters at 91-59, while New York sits at 85-64. The Rays have won two straight contests, contrasting with New York's two-game losing streak. The division rivals have split their last four meetings, though New York took the most recent matchup 12-4 in July.

What to watch: Tampa Bay aims to finalize its division title, while Chicago and San Diego look to officially extend their seasons.

Sources

@MLB Sep 22, 10:49 AM ET

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Rays seek AL East crown, top seed in series against Yankees

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