The Rays (98-64) enter this best-of-five ALDS as AL East champions with home-field advantage after topping the Yankees (93-68) in the regular-season series 7-6. New York arrives rested after sweeping the Red Sox in the Wild Card round but faces a significant offensive challenge without injured star Aaron Judge. Both clubs feature strong rotations, with Gerrit Cole opposing Drew Rasmussen in Game 1 at Tropicana Field and the Yankees able to deploy Carlos Rodon, Cam Schlittler, and Max Fried across the series. The schedule alternates home venues, with potential Games 3-4 shifting to Yankee Stadium. Recent momentum, pitching depth, and the absence of a key slugger shape expectations for series length in this closely matched divisional matchup.