Chandler Simpson's Legs Are Carrying the Rays Past the Yankees, and New York Has No Answer

The Tampa Bay Rays just took two straight from the Yankees at Tropicana Field this weekend, and it's all because one guy keeps getting on base and making things happen. Chandler Simpson, the speedster the Rays got a taste of last season, is doing exactly what he was brought in to do: wreak havoc on the basepaths and score runs before the Yankees even know what hit them.

Simpson's Speed Is Turning Into Wins

In Friday's 5-3 victory, Simpson drove in the go-ahead run and an insurance run batting out of the leadoff spot in the sixth inning. But it was Saturday's 5-4 win in 10 innings that really showed what makes him dangerous. After coming in as a pinch runner in the eighth, Simpson laid down a bunt single to start the 10th and immediately stole second. When Jonathan Aranda hit a chopper that Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. couldn't field cleanly, Simpson scored the winning run.

The guy had 44 stolen bases last season and already has six in just 14 games this year. Rays shortstop Taylor Walls nailed it in his postgame radio interview: "A game like that is awesome to win." And that's the thing. The Rays aren't just winning. They're winning ugly, winning on speed, winning on small ball. They had nine hits Saturday and seven of them were singles. That's baseball.

The Yankees Can't String Anything Together

Meanwhile, New York is falling apart. They went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position Saturday and stranded 12 runners on base. During their four-game losing streak, the Yankees are batting .142 (18-for-127) with 44 strikeouts and have scored just nine runs in four games. That's not a team playing baseball. That's a team in crisis.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone tried to find a silver lining after Saturday's loss, saying some of his hitters made better contact. Jose Caballero drove in three runs with a two-run double in the eighth and an RBI single in the 10th. But one decent game doesn't erase the fact that New York is getting outplayed by a Rays team that thrives on speed and execution. The Rays are 11-6 in their past 17 games against the Yankees at Tropicana Field.

Sunday's Series Finale Matters

Drew Rasmussen is expected to return from the paternity list for the Rays' right-hander, making his first start since April 1. He's 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA in seven career appearances against the Yankees. The Yankees counter with Cam Schlittler, who's been lights out so far at 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, though he's 0-1 against Tampa Bay.

The Rays want to extend New York's skid and complete the sweep. The Yankees need to find their offense before this thing gets away from them. One game to settle it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.