ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Real estate is what Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen owns in the Yankees’ heads, dominating the Bronx Bombers once again.
Though this time was a work of art, a postseason masterpiece in Game 1 of the American League Division Series Saturday night at Tropicana Field.
10/10 no notes
All 10 of Drew's Ks last night, presented by @CoronaUSA! pic.twitter.com/clvZIGAVzw
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 4, 2026
Dominating all game long to stack up 10 strikeouts, tying for the most-ever in a playoff game by a Rays pitcher (Tyler Glasnow, 2020 ALDS Game 2 vs. Yankees)—Rasmussen had the Yankees off balance across the entirety of his outing—flirting with a no hitter until one down in the eighth which was when Austin Wells ripped a double and on a perfect relay got tagged out attempting to reach third.
A costly mistake, already down 1-0 via Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda taking Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole deep on a fourth inning go-ahead solo home run, the first career postseason homer for the 28-year-old native of Tijuana, Mexico.
FIRST HOME RUN BELONGS TO JONATHAN ARANDA#ForTampaBay | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/WeB6rT8b8o
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 3, 2026
“I wasn’t necessarily looking for the home run at that moment,” said Aranda, a key factor in why Tampa Bay’s up 1-0 in this best of five ALDS, along with Rasmussen’s domination.
“I was looking to get the ball in play, get solid contact. When I saw it go out, it felt really good. In these types of high stakes moments, I’m always thinking of my daughter and my wife. Just really happy to get the result and help the team get the win.”
As it goes for the Yankees, New York’s issues against Rasmussen are well documented, posting a 1.81 career-ERA vs. the Yankees over 59.2 innings with 70 strikeouts before Saturday.
Drew 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/XGZ2ZH0jmx
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 22, 2026
Scary career numbers for pinstripe faithful and that includes six no hit innings against the Yankees back in late September at Yankee Stadium on the night the Rays clinched the AL East division.
“The adrenaline was so high. I just wanted to execute one pitch at a time,” Rasmussen said, finishing with one hit and two walks allowed. “When I walked on the field and heard the crowd for the first time, my heart rate spiked quickly. Tampa Bay showed out for us tonight and that was awesome to see. This place is as loud as any place is when it’s filled up.”
His variety of pitches with four strikeouts coming from his changeup, three on his four-seam fastball, two from his sinker and one with his cutter, kept the Yankees in check and mostly guessing on what was coming in the zone next.
"That was the best crowd noise I've ever witnessed, in any ballpark."
More energy on Monday, Tampa Bay. AND MORE COWBELL. #ForTampaBay | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/tzUciXbxTF
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 4, 2026
“He was just incredible and he did that in Yankee Stadium the night that we were fortunate enough to clinch (the division),” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “It seemed like he went out and doubled down tonight. Made it pretty easy to sit back and watch and take some decisions out of our hands.”
Regarding Wells’ eighth inning blunder on the bases, the 27-year-old Dominican-American catcher explained that in the moment he knew he was taking a risk, but with the hope it’d turn out with him beating the throw or the ball potentially rolling more out in right field prior to what was a perfectly executed relay from Victor Mesa Jr. to shortstop Taylor Walls to Junior Caminero.
Mesa protect this house #ForTampaBay | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/v7surKX3lV
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 4, 2026
“As you can see, that wins and loses games,” he said. “You have to take risks. But in that situation, obviously the risk was wrong. I can’t tell you if I’d go again because the situation would be different. I took the risk, but it didn’t work out.”
Looking Ahead to Game 2 of ALDS
In Game 2 of the ALDS set for Monday night, October 5th and first pitch scheduled for 8:08pm ET, the Rays will hand the ball to Dominican right-hander Freddy Peralta (10-11, 4.42 ERA) as the Yankees go with ace and AL Cy Young Award favorite Cam Schlittler (14-6, 1.95 ERA).
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