beyond the back page The Yankees’ sweep by the Rays wasn’t a fluke, it was a reality check By Zach Braziller Published Oct. 8, 2026, 7:40 a.m. ET George Lombard Jr. watches from the Yankees dugout as the Rays celebrate their 4-3 win on Oct. 7, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post It was 9-6 in favor of the Rays during the regular season, and two of the Yankees’ victories came after Tampa Bay had clinched the AL East title.
It was a 4.5-game margin through 162 games in favor of the Rays.
The Rays were the better team from the end of March through the end of September, and history repeated itself in the ALDS.
