ALDS Game 1 Opener
Yankees Set Gerrit Cole to Face Rays in ALDS Opener
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Key Points
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Cole enters Game 1 well-rested: his scheduled Wild Card start was unnecessary after the sweep, and his most recent outing was against Tampa Bay on Sept. 23, when he allowed two runs over 5⅔ innings.
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Rasmussen made the All-Star team for the second consecutive season, but his career has included two elbow ligament surgeries in college and an internal-brace procedure in 2023 that kept him out for more than a year.
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Although Cole is 7-8 in his postseason career, he has a 2.77 ERA and 1.020 WHIP across 22 playoff appearances; 12 of those starts came with the Yankees, for whom he has a 2.93 ERA.
The Yankees will send Gerrit Cole to the mound in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Fox Sports. Cole was originally scheduled to start Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, but the WRAL reported that the Yankees swept Boston, making that appearance unnecessary. Cole arrives well-rested after his most recent outing on September 23, when he allowed two runs over 5⅔ innings against Tampa Bay.
The Rays counter with All-Star Drew Rasmussen, who went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA this season as Tampa Bay led the AL with 98 wins, according to Fox Sports. Rasmussen holds the edge in head-to-head matchups, posting a 1.81 ERA in 11 appearances against the Yankees. The Rays return to their renovated Tropicana Field after playing 2025 home games elsewhere due to hurricane damage, seeking their first postseason series win since 2020.
Cole Returns After Year Away From Full Duty
Gerrit Cole missed the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. This year, he went 10-9 with a 3.61 ERA in 32 regular season starts, according to Fox Sports. In postseason play, Cole has pitched in 12 games for the Yankees, compiling a 2.93 ERA and proving himself a reliable October performer despite his 7-8 career postseason record.
Cole's overall postseason resume spans 22 appearances across his career. He owns a 2.77 ERA with a 1.020 WHIP in those games, showing elite control and consistency when the stakes are highest. His September 23 outing against Tampa Bay demonstrated he's ready for the ALDS stage.
Rasmussen's Durability Question Despite Strong Season
Drew Rasmussen earned his second consecutive All-Star selection this season while posting the 2.67 ERA that helped carry Tampa Bay to 98 wins. However, his career has been marked by injury concerns. He underwent two elbow ligament surgeries in college, then had an internal-brace procedure in 2023 that sidelined him for more than a year, according to Fox Sports.
Despite those setbacks, Rasmussen has dominated the Yankees specifically. His 1.81 ERA across 11 appearances against New York gives the Rays confidence heading into Game 1. If he stays healthy, his stuff matches up well against the Yankees' lineup.
Tampa Bay Seeks First Series Victory in Four Years
The Rays bring a 98-win regular season to the ALDS, the best record in the American League, according to Fox Sports. Their return to Tropicana Field marks an emotional homecoming after playing all 2025 home games elsewhere due to hurricane damage. This represents their first postseason series at their renovated home stadium.
Tampa Bay hasn't won a postseason series since 2020. This matchup against the Yankees gives them a chance to break that drought. A strong pitching performance from Rasmussen could set the tone for the entire series and energize a team hungry for playoff success.
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