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Yankees' Ryan McMahon and Rays Gear Up for Bronx Battle

First Inning


As the Yankees prepare to host the Rays at Yankee Stadium, all eyes will be on Ryan McMahon, who has been a standout performer for the Bronx Bombers. Over the past three games, McMahon has consistently delivered with his bat, boasting an impressive .444 batting average and a 1.139 OPS. His fielding prowess is equally noteworthy, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage across these contests. In their last encounter against the Phillies on July 27th, McMahon's stellar performance included a .667 batting average and an OPS of 1.75.


May 4, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza (18) forces out Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (6) ate second base during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Rays will counter with their own formidable lineup, featuring Junior Caminero at third base. Caminero has shown power potential with a home run in their recent game against the Yankees on July 28th, achieving an OPS of 1.0 despite a modest .200 batting average.


Middle Innings


In the middle innings, pitching will play a crucial role in determining which team gains momentum. The Yankees' bullpen features Devin Williams and Jonathan Loáisiga, both of whom have been lights out recently. Williams boasts an ERA of 0.0 and an impressive strikeout rate of 18 per nine innings from his appearance against the Phillies on July 27th. Meanwhile, Loáisiga also holds an ERA of 0.0 over his last two appearances.


May 4, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (98) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

For the Rays, Drew Rasmussen stands out as a key player to watch on the mound. With an ERA of 3.6 and nine strikeouts per nine innings in his recent start against the Yankees on July 28th, Rasmussen's ability to control the game could be pivotal for Tampa Bay.


Late Innings


As we head into the late innings, clutch performances will be essential for either team to secure victory. Giancarlo Stanton remains a vital component in the Yankees' lineup; he has maintained consistent production with a .400 average and an OPS of 1.4 over three games.


May 4, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza (18) fields an infield single by Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

On Tampa Bay's side, Taylor Walls offers versatility both offensively and defensively at shortstop. Walls had an exceptional game against Cincinnati Reds on July 27th with two hits including one home run leading to an OPS of 2.334.


With both teams showcasing talent across their rosters, fans should keep an eye out for players to watch in Yankees vs Rays as they battle it out at Yankee Stadium this Thursday afternoon at 1:05 PM ET broadcasted live on YES Network.


Stay tuned as these two powerhouse teams clash in what promises to be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry! Share this article if you're excited about this matchup!

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