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Cole vs. Rasmussen: ALDS Pitching Showdown Begins
3 Oct
Summary
- Gerrit Cole starts Game 1 for Yankees against the Rays.
- Drew Rasmussen is the Game 1 starter for the Rays.
- Rays' bullpen allowed 95 home runs, the third-highest mark.
The New York Yankees are poised to begin their ALDS series against the Tampa Bay Rays with Gerrit Cole on the mound for Game 1. This matchup marks Cole's postseason debut, coming after a period of rest. In three regular-season appearances against the Rays, Cole maintained a 2.50 ERA over an average of six innings.
The Rays will feature Drew Rasmussen as their Game 1 starter. Rasmussen, acquired for Willy Adames, has evolved into one of the American League's dominant starters. This season, he has pitched deeper into games, surpassing 90 pitches 17 times, including a career-high 114 pitches against the Yankees recently.
Despite the Yankees potentially having a stronger rotation, the series advantage might lie in the bullpen. The Rays' bullpen ERA ranked 14th, and they allowed 95 home runs, the third-highest in the majors. However, with off-days between games, Tampa Bay might utilize their bullpen aggressively, especially with Cam Booser, who held Yankees hitters to 1-for-10 in the regular season.
The Yankees' lineup, featuring many left-handed hitters, is well-suited to face Rasmussen, a right-handed pitcher. If the Rays' bullpen, particularly Booser, cannot contain hitters like Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger, Tampa Bay could face a significant challenge in the series.
