Yankees will have to watch Rays celebrate AL East title on home field

PHOENIX — There was no music. Just a smattering of idle clubhouse chatter. The New York Yankees weren’t even in the mood to turn on the big-screen TV on Sunday to check on their fantasy football teams.

The Yankees, who lost 8-4 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, came to grips with reality after their latest loss, and now are faced with the inevitable.

They’re going to have no choice but to watch the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate the AL East title on their home field this week.

The Rays (95-90), who have a six-game lead with six games remaining, need to win just one of the next four scheduled games at Yankee Stadium, including a doubleheader on Tuesday, to celebrate their first AL East title since 2021.

The way the Rays have played all season, they just might be celebrating their first World Series title in October, too.

“You know, it’s tough,’’ Yankees infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero said. “We fight for the whole season, but at the end of the day, we’re already in the postseason. So that’s what we look forward to, and just be better and learn from little mistakes.’’

The Yankees (89-66) have been looking up at the Rays…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/