ST. PETERSBURG -- It was hardly the environment that Cam Schlittler and the Yankees expected arriving at Tropicana Field for the first game of the American League Division Series.
Gone were the friendly faces and familiar cheers that so often follow them across the bay, replaced by a towel-waving sellout crowd, loud and hungry to push their Rays deeper into the postseason.
For the likely AL Cy Young Award winner, who said games at the Trop usually feel like the Yankees are “kind of playing at home,” that hostile environment should suit him fine.
“We’re looking forward to Monday,” Yankees catcher Austin Wells said. “[Game 1] was a great game all around for the pitchers, both sides. So I think we’re going to look forward to continuing that on our side, and hopefully get to their guy.”
That will be Freddy Peralta, as the Rays announced shortly after Game 1.
Acquired from the Mets in August, Peralta was the AL Pitcher of the Month for September, going 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA over his last six starts overall. In four home starts at Tropicana Field, he posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP.
“Everything changed when I got traded,” Peralta said. “I’ve said it before, I've been treated here as a king. I feel really good about it.”
When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch for Game 2 of the Yankees-Rays Division Series is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Tropicana Field. The game will be broadcast on TBS, truTV and HBO Max.
The ALDS will be available in Spanish on UniMas, while Univision’s TUDN Radio will provide Spanish-language audio coverage. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2026 MLB Postseason games.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Yankees: Cam Schlittler, RHP
Key stats: 8-2, 1.16 ERA in 17 road starts this season
The likely AL Cy Young Award winner, Schlittler believes that he feeds off hostile environments, as evidenced by his stellar record on the road -- he led all Major Leaguers in road ERA (1.16), strikeouts (129), opponent batting average (.153), opponent OBP (.206), opponent OPS (.456) and WHIP (0.74).
All of that is to say, the Rays should have their work cut out for them against Schlittler, who features three different fastballs and a curveball that he leaned upon as a legitimate weapon during his AL Wild Card Series start against the Red Sox.
Schlittler faced the Rays three times this season, posting a 1-1 record and 2.81 ERA. He last faced them on Sept. 24 in New York, a three-inning tuneup start ahead of the postseason in which he allowed two runs (one earned). One of Schlittler's best starts of the year came on July 6 at the Trop, where he fired eight innings of one-run ball, striking out eight without a walk.
Rays: RHP Freddy Peralta
Key stats: 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA in his last six starts
The Rays made sure all their starters were available if needed out of the bullpen in Game 1, but Drew Rasmussen handled eight innings to keep them rested and ready for the rest of the series. Thus, the Rays can turn to Peralta -- their veteran Trade Deadline acquisition -- to take a 2-0 lead. Peralta has returned to his “Fastball Freddy” form over the last six weeks with the Rays, and he has been especially good at Tropicana Field. The right-hander put together a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in his last four home starts, and his stuff -- including his signature heater and a changeup he’s used more since joining the Rays -- plays best in the Trop’s controlled environment.
What might the starting lineups look like?
Yankees: The Yankees have used the same lineup twice this postseason against right-handed pitching, including against Rasmussen in Game 1 of the ALDS. Even though Rasmussen shut them down, it’s a solid bet they'll run it back in Game 2.
1. Ben Rice, DH
2. Cody Bellinger, LF
3. Luis García Jr., 1B
4. Spencer Jones, RF
5. George Lombard Jr., SS
6. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
7. Trent Grisham, CF
8. Austin Wells, C
9. Ryan McMahon, 3B
Rays: The Rays went with their standard lineup against right-handed pitchers in Game 1, aside from Jonny DeLuca starting in center field ahead of Cedric Mullins. They could make some changes, but for now, let’s stick with that.
1. Yandy Díaz, DH
2. Jonathan Aranda, 1B
3. Junior Caminero, 3B
4. Liam Hicks, C
5. Chandler Simpson, LF
6. Victor Mesa Jr., RF
7. Jonny DeLuca, CF
8. Richie Palacios, 2B
9. Taylor Walls, SS
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Yankees: Ryan Weathers replaced infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario for this series, returning from a left flexor strain sustained in late August. David Bednar, Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick should all be leaned upon for high-leverage outs. Will Warren is now in the bullpen after appearing in 32 games (29 starts) during the regular season. Warren made one appearance in the Wild Card Series, tossing 1 2/3 innings.
Rays: The Rays are in great shape after Rasmussen pitched eight innings and closer Bryan Baker slammed the door shut in the ninth in Game 1. Coming off an additional day off, they should have everyone available, including the rest of the non-Rasmussen starters: Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour and Nick Martinez. They also have a solid setup crew in front of Baker in Tyler Wells, following his return from a forearm issue, and the righty-lefty duo of Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser. Those four seem likely to get the biggest outs of the game, if needed.
Any injuries of note?
Yankees: Aaron Judge was left off the ALDS roster, though manager Aaron Boone said it was a “close” call. Judge has yet to run the bases as he recovers from a right calf strain, though he has been performing outfield running. He has also been taking numerous live at-bats while throwing. Clarke Schmidt has been ruled out for the remainder of the postseason.
Rays: Nothing new. Everyone who was expected to be available for this series is on the roster. The most notable injury situation to watch moving forward is that of left-hander Shane McClanahan, whose status is unclear except that he will not pitch in this series.
Who is hot and who is not?
Yankees: Rice is swinging a hot bat -- including the postseason, he is batting .348 (23-for-66) with seven homers and 15 RBIs over his last 18 games, dating to Sept. 10. He crushed the Rays during the regular season, belting seven homers in 13 games. Wells drove in two runs in the Game 2 Wild Card Series win over Boston and has 17 RBIs over his last 25 games after logging just 19 RBIs in his first 100 games. Lombard has not wilted under the postseason spotlight, collecting four hits and an RBI in the Wild Card Series. Bellinger drove in four runs in Game 2, including a homer.
Rays: Aranda doesn’t get as much love as the other members of the “Big Three,” but his left-handed bat is key. He hit better than either Caminero or Díaz in September, and he had the lone big hit of the night in Game 1. Mesa hit .355 with a 1.015 OPS in September, and he’s got game-changing ability in the outfield. Palacios finished strong, too, posting a .981 OPS with five homers in September. Tampa Bay’s entire rotation surged into the postseason, highlighted by Rasmussen and Peralta, the September AL Pitcher of the Month.
Mullins didn’t contribute much at the plate down the stretch, nor did Ben Williamson in his return from a significant hamstring injury. Ryan Vilade’s power output also declined in September, and it wasn’t quite the month you’d expect out of Díaz (.666 OPS) or Hicks (.668).
Anything else fans might want to know?
• The Rays’ 1-0 victory in Game 1 snapped their seven-game postseason losing streak and gave them a 4-2 record against the Yankees in the postseason, adding to their series victory in the 2020 ALDS.
• The Rays are again encouraging fans to arrive early due to the anticipated crowd. Parking lots will open at 3 p.m., and gates will open at 5 p.m., three hours before first pitch. All parking is prepaid only.
• The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by former Rays first baseman Carlos Pena, who was part of the club’s worst-to-first turnaround in 2008. U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Jermaine Robinson will perform the national anthem.