Rays clinch AL East and home-field advantage with 6-1 win over Yankees

AI Summary

The Tampa Bay Rays secured the American League East division title and home-field advantage for the playoffs with a 6-1 win over the New York Yankees. Drew Rasmussen delivered a strong pitching performance with 11 strikeouts, helping the Rays clinch their fifth AL East crown.

Drew Rasmussen allowed his only hit in the seventh inning and struck out 11 as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Tuesday in the second game of a day-night doubleheader to clinch their fifth AL East title. The Rays (96-61) secured home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs and took their first division crown since 2021, when they won 100 games. Tampa Bay also earned AL East championships in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season along with 2010 and 2008, when the team had its first winning season after entering the league as an expansion franchise in 1998.