The Yankees knew the Rays would be good, perhaps not this good.
Part II of the surprise matchup for first place in the AL East, beginning Friday at the Trop in St. Petersburg, Fla., is that the Yankees never thought they would be taking these pinstriped players to battle the Rays.
Sure, it’s not the Red Sox, but this rivalry will do for now.
The bargain-basement but super-talented Rays against the Accidental Yankees will be the biggest series of the season so far in 2019.
Fittingly, during Thursday night’s batting practice, the Yankees blared Thrift Shop from the Stadium speakers.