SAN DIEGO _ The raised tempers and heated exchanges that characterize the Rays-Yankees rivalry have created an interesting backdrop for the American League Division Series that starts Monday night.
But what is most key for the Rays to beat them three times this week? The short answer: pitching.
"That's kind of a cliche answer," said Rays manager Kevin Cash on Sunday before a Petco Park workout, "but it's going to come down to pitching."
The Rays did that quite well in winning eight of the 10 games between the teams during the regular season. But these are not August's and September's Yankees.
With sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton back from injuries, DJ LeMahieu locked in at the top and the rest of their productive hitters in their more normal slots, the Yankees flexed considerable muscle in crushing the Indians this postseason, scoring 22 runs and hitting seven homers.
That would be the Indians staff that ranked ahead of the Rays atop the American League and featured Cy Young favorite Shane Bieber, who got rocked.
"No question that when we're healthy, I think one of the strengths, the overwhelming strength of our team is, is the length of our lineup," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "And the heaviness that I think it takes to go through our nine hitters. ... Pitchers feel that and know that they have to really work and execute if you're going to get through.
"More often than not we trust that eventually we can break through because of how difficult up and down the order we make it. I just think there's an overall heaviness to our lineup when we're whole and complete."
In the 10 regular-season games, Rays pitchers kept the Yankees fairly quiet, and with the first three starters for this series _ Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Charlie Morton _ working in seven games.
Notably, the Rays held the Yankees to 3.40 runs per game and a .117 average (7-for-60) with runners in scoring position. (Against all other opponents, the Yankees averaged 5.62 runs per game and hit .276 with runners in scoring position.)
But Stanton played in only three of those games, hitting .286 with one homer, though he had a 1.214 OPS thanks to three walks. Judge played in four, hitting .235 with one homer and a .647 OPS. LeMahieu, who led the majors with a .364 average, played in seven, hitting .333 with two homers and a .908 OPS.
Also of note, Gleyber Torres played in seven, hitting .182 with no homers, and Aaron Hicks in nine, hitting .172 with no homers and a .570 OPS.
Yankees first baseman Luke Voit, who led the majors with 22 home runs, said things are definitely different now than during the three regular-season series, the last played Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
"We're a lot healthier and these games are a lot more meaningful," Voit said. "(The Rays) have good pitching and they figured out ways to score runs against us; you've got to give them credit. ... We've got a really tough lineup and I think we're going to do a lot of damage against them."
"We're a confident team," Judge said. "... Having this lineup top to bottom healthy, you've got guys that can get on base, you've got guys that can hit homers one through nine. So it's a scary lineup."
The Rays know they have to limit the runs allowed. They understand the assignment may be a little tougher this time because of who the Yankees have in their lineup. "I don't know if we saw them all together one time," Cash said. "And they're all really, really talented hitters."
The tension, pressure and spotlight all will be higher, and the margin for error slighter.
The schedule, of potentially playing five straight days, will test their depth and create some difficult decisions on how long to leave in starters _ with the possible consideration of bringing Snell and Glasnow back on short rest _ and how often to go to relievers (knowing they can't use the same guys, like say, Nick Anderson, in every game).
Still, to borrow a line from Toronto's Bo Bichette about facing the Rays, they sound "zero% intimidated" by the Bronx Bombers.
"I feel really good about our pitching," shortstop Willy Adames said. "They were dealing all year, and the games against Toronto (in the first round), they did unbelievable. Snell had probably his best outing. ... I know they're going to do a tremendous job, and I'm confident they're going to do what they do best, strike out a lot of guys and get the outs."
Or, as infielder Joey Wendle said: "I like our staff against any lineup any day of the week."
Monday would be a good place to start.
