New York Yankees: ALDS Game One Preview & Prediction
The New York Yankees head into the ALDS where they will play a familiar opponent in the Tampa Bay Rays, who, unfortunately, they went 2-8 against this season.
New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays
Gerrit Cole vs. Blake Snell
Monday, October 5th, 8:07 pm
The New York Yankees will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of the American League Division Series in a battle of top-tier MLB pitchers between Gerrit Cole and Blake Snell.
Each of these two pitchers had a STELLAR first start of the 2020 postseason as Cole went seven innings strong allowing only six hits and two earned runs with an impressive 13 strikeouts and no walks, as the Yankees beat the Indians, and Snell went 5.2 innings allowing only one hit, no earned runs, two walks and nine strikeouts in a win over the Blue Jays.
Cole had a total of three starts against the Rays in 2020, going a combined 16.1 innings, allowing 20 hits with nine earned runs, six walks, and 27 strikeouts with a 1-1 record in those three games.
Snell faced the Yankees only twice this season going a combined eight innings with four hits, three earned runs, four walks, and eight strikeouts, with a 1-0 record over the two games.
On the season though, it’s Gerrit Cole who has a decent advantage on the Rays’ ace as Cole holds a 2.84 ERA (12th in the MLB), with a 7-3 record (third in the MLB), 94 strikeouts (sixth in the MLB) and a 0.96 WHIP (34th in the MLB.)
Snell on the other hand holds a 3.23 ERA ERA with a 4-2 record, 63 strikeouts, and a 1.20 whip. As you can see, Cole was far and away the better pitcher in 2020, but none of that matters now, the only thing that matters is who the better pitcher is at 8:07 pm on Monday.
Prediction: Yankees win 3-1
I believe the Yankees will continue their postseason winning streak and win the first game of the ALDS. Although Cole is 1-1 against Tampa this season, and the Yankees are 2-8 against them this year, I see the Yankees getting it done.
The Bronx Bombers are a much better team right now with all of their stars being activated off the injured list, and they showed that in the Wild Card Series as they scored a combined 22 runs over the course of the two-game series.
With that, and Gerrit Cole on the mound who allowed only two earned runs in seven innings with 13 strikeouts last week against the Indians, I don’t see any reason why the Yankees shouldn’t win game one of the ALDS.
Next. New York Yankees Sweep Indians, Move Onto ALDS. dark
What do you think, will the Yankees get off to a good start against Tampa Bay? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @EmpireWritesBck!