Yankees face Rays bullpen nightmare at Tropicana Field
The Yankees-Rays series finale on Thursday, July 9, 2026, pits Paul Blackburn and a planned New York bullpen day against Drew Rasmussen at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. A Yankees loss would push the AL East gap to six games behind Tampa Bay — what Yahoo Sports calls their toughest test of the season.
Key Takeaways
- The Yankees need a win to avoid a third straight loss and a six-game AL East deficit.
- Drew Rasmussen carries a 0.89 ERA against New York across 50.2 career innings.
- Tampa Bay is a -155 moneyline favorite with a 33-13 home record at Tropicana Field.
- Paul Blackburn opens a bullpen game while Aaron Judge remains sidelined.
- MLB.com calls this four-game set pivotal for the 2026 division race.
Thursday's Yankees-Rays finale caps a week that MLB.com flagged as must-watch before the All-Star break. The Rays entered having taken four of five meetings this season, including an April sweep, with every game decided by one or two runs.
Why does this Yankees-Rays game matter so much?
When Aaron Judge landed on the injured list on June 5, the Yankees sat just 1½ games behind Tampa Bay. One month later, New York trails by four games and has lost nine of its last 10, according to MLB.com.
A third straight loss on Thursday would stretch that gap to six games. The rivals will not meet again until the second-to-last series of the regular season, making this Florida swing unusually consequential for the AL East crown.
How does Drew Rasmussen dominate the Yankees?
Rasmussen makes his 10th career appearance against New York on Thursday afternoon. The right-hander has nearly as many wins (4) as earned runs allowed (5) over 50.2 innings, posting a 0.89 ERA that ranks as his best mark against any opponent, per Yahoo Sports.
With Judge unavailable, Tampa Bay's ace faces a lineup that has struggled to score consistently. Trent Grisham is the lone Yankee with a meaningful track record against Rasmussen, going 5-for-14 with a home run.
What is New York's bullpen-day plan?
The Yankees are deploying a planned bullpen game with Blackburn on the mound. Covers.com notes Ryan Yarbrough could also work bulk innings after not pitching since July 4.
New York will start Cody Bellinger at first base and Max Schuemann in left field. The reshuffled lineup must generate offense against a Rays staff that betting markets favor at -155 on the moneyline.
Can the Yankees avoid another loss in Florida?
Tampa Bay owns baseball's best home mark at 33-13 and has cashed the moneyline in 35 of its last 50 games at Tropicana Field, per Covers.com. The Rays have won eight of their last 10 overall while the Yankees chase a slumping offense.
First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET on YES and Rays TV. For more offbeat Florida headlines, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage.