The best team in the world is right here, proclaimed Junior Caminero after the Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
Tampa Bay clinched its spot in the American League Championship Series on Wednesday with a 4-3 victory at Yankee Stadium, securing a three-game sweep of their storied division rivals. The decisive win advances the Rays to their first league championship series since 2020 and sets up a matchup against either the Chicago White Sox or the Cleveland Guardians.
The victory sends the Rays home to Tropicana Field for a game of the ALCS on Monday, marking the first time the franchise will host a league championship series game since 2008. Their 2020 victory in seven games over Houston was played at Petco Park in San Diego due to the pandemic.
Celebrations in the Bronx
Inside the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, the celebration featured loud renditions of the Theme from New York, New York and plenty of champagne. Players and coaches embraced the milestone after dismissing the team with the most history in baseball.
Ryan Vilade, a 27-year-old who made his first appearance since Sept. 27 during the third game, embraced the atmosphere. I love popping bottles, Vilade said. I love drinking beer and I love popping bottles.
Vilade and Victor Mesa Jr. provided crucial power on Wednesday, hitting home runs that powered the 4-3 win. During the clubhouse festivities, Caminero mimicked the late Yankees broadcaster John Sterling by shouting, Yankees lose, into the air.
This is my second shirt, my second cap, I’ve changed twice, Cash said. Cami sprayed me with something and Victor did too. Both of them did. I said, ‘This is a dry shirt.’ If they want to play the next round, they better stop.
We’ve got two more bites—two more bites at the bone, Cash told his players. Nobody sleeps.
Pitching Depth and Strong Hitting Drive Regular Season Success
The postseason sweep comes on the heels of a dominant regular season in which Tampa Bay finished with the best record in the American League at 98-64. President of baseball operations Erik Neander pointed to the club’s pitching depth as a primary driver of their success.
We’re going to enjoy it and we’ll have a little bit of time to get organized, Neander said. When you have five starters pitching like these guys do, it makes it a little easier not to overthink things.
Tampa Bay also led the American League in on-base percentage and ranked second in the American League with a .296 batting average on balls in play.
Outfielder Jonny DeLuca noted that the roster’s collective skill set creates constant pressure for opposing defenses. The identity of our team is, in a way, the versatility that we have, DeLuca said. A lot of our guys are quick and agile at putting the ball in play, and I think in the playoffs, that makes a massive difference, whether it’s running down the line, running the bases, defense, whatever it is. I think speed is a huge aspect of our game and, yeah, it’s helped us immensely.
Next Stop Tropicana Field
With the sweep complete, Cash secured his sixth postseason appearance in eight years as manager of the Rays. The organization now awaits the conclusion of the other ALDS matchup to determine whether they will face Chicago or Cleveland.
The American League Championship Series opens on Monday at Tropicana Field.
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