Big questions for the Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers and other contenders as the MLB season comes to a close
Eight playoff hopefuls faced off this week in a postseason preview of sorts. Here's what we learned and what they still need to figure out.
As the MLB regular season drew to a close, four series involving projected postseason teams offered a sneak peek into the intense matchups that would unfold next month. While the finishing line had not yet been crossed, the caliber of talent displayed provided a tantalizing preview of the October tournament.
The Yankees and Rays faced off in a high-stakes showdown, with Tampa Bay emerging victorious in a 2-0 sweep. The Rays' ace, Drew Rasmussen, delivered a stellar performance in the nightcap of the doubleheader, allowing just one run on one hit over 6 ⅔ innings and striking out 11 batters. This marked a career-high pitch count of 114, a milestone for his career that underscored the league's evolving trend of restricting starters from exceeding 114 pitches in a single outing.
Rasmussen's impressive stats, including a 2.74 ERA among qualified starters since the 2022 season, solidify his status as a dependable force in the majors and a vital player for the Rays' AL East title.
Meanwhile, the Yankees grappled with decisions about their starting lineup for the postseason. Gerrit Cole, returning from Tommy John surgery, has shown flashes of brilliance but also struggles with whiffs and hard contact. Manager Joe Girardi may opt for left-hander Max Fried to begin the series against Tampa Bay, while Cole could take the mound in the division series against the Rays if the Yankees advance further.
The decision weighs heavily on the Yankees, as both pitchers have displayed strengths that could prove crucial in high-pressure situations.
Elsewhere, the Phillies found themselves in a tight race atop the NL East standings, trailing by just two games with three games remaining in the regular season. Their final series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team with the best record in the NL, held promise for a crucial test of their mettle. However, an unexpected bright spot emerged as outfielder Brandon Marsh, who had seen his form waver, delivered a breakthrough performance, driving in three runs with a double and a homer in the Phillies' 6-4 victory.
Marsh's return to form, marked by his first multihit and extra-base hit of the season, adds a glimmer of hope for Philadelphia as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
