Yandy Díaz just pushed the Tampa Bay Rays to the brink of their first World Series appearance since 2020, dropping a monster 3-hit game on the Cleveland Guardians in a huge 3-1 win on Sunday. That victory gave the Rays a critical 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series, and honestly, this dude is absolutely cooking at the plate right when his team needs him most.
Díaz Is On Another Level Right Now, And Everyone Sees It
This guy is seriously making a case for postseason legend status. In Sunday’s Game 5, he not only racked up three hits, including a crucial double, but he also scored the Rays’ first run. Talk about setting the tone! The numbers don’t lie, either: Díaz has a hit in seven of eight postseason games. His current postseason average sits at an insane .314 with four doubles, a home run, and an .847 OPS while leading off for Tampa Bay. Rays closer Bryan Baker said it best, “I’m probably a little biased, but Yandy is one of my favorite players to watch. When he gets going, we’re a different team with the way he works at-bats.” You can see it, too, right? The dude makes pitchers work, and then he makes them pay.
Momentum Is Building, And So Is Yandy’s Bat
The momentum is clearly with the Rays heading back to Tropicana Field. Game 6 is set for Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida, where Tampa Bay has a stellar 58-27 record across the regular season and playoffs. If it goes to Game 7, that’s Tuesday, also at home. Outfielder Jonny DeLuca knows what’s up, saying, “Momentum is big in this sport and we have it , and we’re going to keep it…Once bats get hot, they say it’s contagious and it’s true. It carried over from yesterday.”
And Díaz? He’s definitely contagious. In the last two games alone, he’s gone 5 for 10 with a homer, two RBIs, and three runs. This 35-year-old veteran isn’t new to this; he led the AL with 180 hits in the regular season and earned his second All-Star selection. He’s also played in a franchise-record 33 postseason games, which tells you everything about his experience. Rays manager Kevin Cash nailed it: “I’ve said it for many seasons, as he goes, we go…what he does at the top of our lineup, it ignites everybody. He comes up and comes up with a big hit.” That’s exactly what happened when he doubled against Parker Messick in the first inning and then scored on DeLuca’s bases-loaded walk. Díaz himself is staying humble about it: “I’m just trying to get on base as much as I can, I’m not necessarily counting the hits…A positive mindset is the biggest thing. Just being aggressive with our pitch selection, just jumping on good pitches. Both of those things.” Yeah, a “positive mindset” and absolutely ripping the cover off the ball.
One more win, that’s it! Game 6 is tomorrow. Can they close it out at home and punch their ticket to the World Series? You know all eyes will be on Díaz leading off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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