Add The New York Post on Google A week or two ago, Tuesday’s doubleheader loomed as perhaps the largest day (and night) of the Yankees’ season.
But the Rays separating themselves — entering with a six-game lead that had doubled since Sept. 11 — and requiring just one victory in this series to clinch the division removed much of the drama from the opening game of the series at a half-filled Stadium.
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And so a strong afternoon effort encouraged and kept the Yankees’ AL East hopes alive, but more kept the hopes breathing rather than reviving them.
In the first of two games on the day, the Yankees beat the Rays, 2-0 in front of an announced crowd of 41,421 in The Bronx on a brisk, windy late September day that reminded that October is coming.
In all likelihood, also coming soon is the Rays wrapping up the division, but the Yankees at least did not allow their rival to celebrate on their grass immediately. Of course, the Rays (95-61) have three more chances to do so, including another in just a few hours.
The Yankees (90-66) are nearly guaranteed a first-round, wild-card date with the Red Sox in a best-of-three that likely won’t include the Yankees’ best: The club is operating under the belief Aaron Judge will not be available for the series because of his calf strain.
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon throws a pitch during the first inning of game one of a split doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post If the Yankees are going to escape the Red Sox and visit these same Rays in the ALDS, they would have to rely upon their stars rather than their superstar.
On that front, Tuesday afternoon provided some hope with Carlos Rodón (eight shutout, overpowering innings in which he faced just one over the minimum) and Cody Bellinger (a two-run blast in the fourth inning that provided the only runs the club needed) stepping up.
Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates with designated hitter Ben Rice (22) after scoring on a two-run home run during the fourth inning of game one of a split doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Robert Sabo for NY Post The Yankees’ offense was held down by Nick Martinez for three perfect innings before pouncing on two consecutive, imperfect pitches to begin the bottom of the fourth.
Ben Rice roped a double down the right field line for the Yankees’ first hit before Bellinger got a first-pitch sinker across the middle of the plate and clubbed it to right for his 17th homer of the season.
Rodón made those two runs stand up in what became his longest and best outing of the season.
He allowed three baserunners on three singles, and the first two were erased by double plays (the second, in the sixth inning, entailing Bellinger catching a Richie Palacios line drive and throwing strong to first to double up Victor Mesa Jr.).
The third was a one-out single to Jonathan Aranda in the seventh inning, which might have presented the greatest threat to Rodón. But against Junior Caminero — an MVP candidate who represented the tying run — the veteran reached back for his two fastest pitches of the game (both 97.5 mph fastballs) to get ahead, 0-2, before finishing Caminero off with a slider.
After inducing a flyout from Liam Hicks, Rodón returned for the eighth inning and sat down Tampa in order, including a strikeout of Jonny DeLuca that was his eighth of the afternoon and 1,500th of his career.
David Bednar recorded his 35th save of the season to keep the Yankees’ very slim division hopes alive.
