2026 Yankees Win Fourth Game Since June 23rd Against AL East Rival

The New York Yankees would head to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays in a divisional battle that proved to be crucial as the all-star break looms a week from now. Since Tuesday, June 23rd, the Bronx Bombers have only won three games as the Rays have swung the tide of the AL East Division, leading New York by four games. Before two out of three of those wins, the Yankees lost four out of five games; their struggles had been showing all throughout late June and early July. The Yankees had to come into this game with a must-win approach and did so with the help of their starting pitcher and shortstop in a huge 5-1 win. Now, they’ll have to win the next three games of the series to be tied for first place with the Rays.

Both Teams Want Control of the AL East

Through four innings, the Yankees did not record a single hit while the Rays had just one coming from right fielder Jonny DeLuca. It was going to take one big swing for this game to be decisive. After Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. walked at the top of the fifth inning, José Caballero smashed a three-run home run to left field to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead. A half inning later, the Rays would answer back with an RBI single by second baseman Richie Palacios.

Those first four innings, however, showed how even these two teams have been throughout the 2026 campaign. While New York has been slumping, Tampa Bay has gone 9-2 before heading into this series against the Yankees. It’s clear both teams want to control the AL East, heading into the all-star break and for the rest of the year. The next three games of this series should be as competitive and interesting as it could possibly get.

Griffin Jax’s Incredible Start Ruined by Caballero

In the five innings he pitched, Griffin Jax allowed those two walks, which eventually led to Caballero’s three-run home run. Before that, the 31-year-old didn’t allow a hit and had 10 strikeouts for the night. If he didn’t struggle within that fifth inning, there very well could have been a chance Jax was in for a historic night. He’ll have to push that strong start and confidence in his next start for Tampa Bay.

Schlitter’s Comeback Start

During his last start on Tuesday, June 30th, Cam Schlitter allowed six runs on seven hits through four innings during a 9-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The first-time all-star completed a fantastic comeback start in Tampa, allowing one run on four hits in eight innings while striking out seven. The 25-year-old had two back-to-back bad starts but has come back in a big way during this divisional matchup. He’ll look to keep himself in AL Cy Young consideration for the rest of the 2026 season.

Player of the Game – Caballero

Caballero would bash two home runs in the Yankees’ 4-1 win. His two homers had the highest exit velocity of the game and brought his season total to double digits. The 29-year-old will look to make an impact with Aaron Judge still absent from the lineup. If he can make an impact during this series against the Rays, that could swing the Yankees’ momentum in a huge way.