Alex Rodriguez Makes Yankees Prediction That Will Turn Heads

The New York Yankees opened the American League Division Series with a 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night at Tropicana Field, a result that arrived the same day former Yankees star Alex Rodriguez picked New York to win the World Series.

Tampa Bay one-hit New York. Drew Rasmussen worked eight innings, and Bryan Baker finished the game. Jonathan Aranda’s solo home run in the third was the only run.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote: “Tampa Bay one-hit New York, with Drew Rasmussen throwing a near-immaculate eight innings and Bryan Baker locking it down. Jonathan Aranda’s solo home run was all the Rays needed as they played typically clean baseball to take a 1-0 lead in the ALDS.”

Rasmussen struck out 10 and walked two. Austin Wells doubled with two outs in the eighth to break up the no-hit bid, then was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple. Baker retired the side in the ninth for the save.

The Rays won the AL East at 98-64. The Yankees finished second at 93-68, 4.5 games back, after a regular season that included a 47-34 road record. New York’s team ERA of 3.23 led the majors.

New York reached the Division Series by sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series, 9-0 and 9-2. Game 2 against Tampa Bay is Monday night, still at Tropicana Field. The series is best of five.

Rodriguez, speaking on FOX Sports, made his World Series call on Saturday.

“I’m going to go with the Yankees beating the Dodgers in a rematch from a couple of years ago,” Rodriguez said. “The best two pitching staffs in the game. I’m going to go with them on pitching and defense.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West at 100-62. Rodriguez and Derek Jeter both took the Yankees on the FOX panel. David Ortiz and Dontrelle Willis picked the Dodgers.

Rodriguez played 12 seasons in the Bronx and was part of the 2009 championship team, the franchise’s most recent title. He won three MVP awards across a 22-year career that also included the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.

The Yankees are again playing without Aaron Judge. The three-time MVP was left off the ALDS roster while recovering from a right calf injury suffered Sept. 16.

MLB.com wrote (on October 3): “Has a “moderate grade” strain of his right soleus muscle and was not active for AL Wild Card Series or Division Series. Has been taking at-bats, including against live pitching, but has not resumed running the bases as of Oct. 3. Could be activated if Yankees advance to AL Championship Series.”

Manager Aaron Boone said keeping Judge off the roster was the best path if the club wants a healthier version of him later in October. Judge hit .241 with 18 home runs in 66 regular-season games.

Giancarlo Stanton, limited for much of the year by his own calf problems, was active and struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth. Gerrit Cole took the loss after Aranda’s homer.

The Rays played in front of an announced crowd of 40,542. Baker converted 41 of 44 save chances in the regular season. New York lost its ALDS last year to the Toronto Blue Jays.