By: Rusty Brooks
The NY Yankees played a grueling 5 hour game to finish off the sweep of the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night, beating them 10-9 in the Wild Card series and with a healthy line-up they are ready to go against the Tampa Bay who easily won the AL East division, finishing 7 games ahead of the Yankees.
Kyle Snyder, the Rays pitching coach, studied the Yankees series against the Indians and believes he has the key to defeating the Bronx Bombers.
The Rays dominated the Yankees throughout the abbreviated, strange COVID-19 MLB season, which saw empty stands, only 70 games played, and controversial social justice displays, which many blamefor low ratings. Tampa defeated the Yanks 8 out of 10 games.
The Yankees were outscored 47-34 by Tampa Bay, though Aaron Judge missed the final six games due to a left calf strain, Giancarlo Stanton sat for the final seven meetings with a hamstring injury, and DJ LeMahieu missed three games with a sprained thumb., ESPN reported.
However, now the Yankees stating line-up is healthy and ready to go and Tampa’s pitching coach, sat back, watched the Cleveland series and believes he has the key to advancing past the Yanks.
Kyle Ehren Snyder, the Ray’s pitching coach recently discussed his strategy in an interview.
“Obviously when we faced them, they were missing a few guys, but as I watched the Cleveland series, it seemed like getting the leadoff hitter was important,” the pitching coach who had to game plan against both the Yankees and Rays said. “Again, it is always important, but even more so with that lineup. You would much rather face the bopper with the bases empty. Additionally, cannot let the bottom half of the lineup beat you. DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Luke Voit are going to get there, keep Gio Urshela, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks and the others at bay… and that is easier said than done.”
“The Rays are very, very dependent on the home run,” the pitching coach said. “They strike out a ton. So, if Boone and the Yankees deploy their weapons — starters and relievers — properly, they can certainly set themselves [up] for success. It goes without saying, Cole has to have a good game — or two.
“The Rays pitchers likely won’t make the same mistakes Cleveland’s did” Snyder said.
