Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said his team hasn’t forgotten about Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman buzzing Mike Brosseau’s head with a 101-mph fastball on Sept. 1 at Yankee Stadium, a pitch that continued the bad blood between the AL East rivals.
Before flying to San Diego on Friday following a workout at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., Kiermaier doubled down on the animosity between the clubs.
“With all the history we have had the last couple of years, it is what it is, I have said many times they don’t like us and we don’t like them,’’ Kiermaier said on a Zoom call. “It is going to continue to stay that way and it is going to be a very fun and energetic [series] and I know each team is going to try and put it to the opposition. I know that for a fact. It’s going to be two great teams playing against each other. I know our guys are real excited and ready to go and we plan to have the same thoughts when we get out West. Once again, we have forgot what went on, but moving forward we have to do everything in our power to be focused in order to win and that is what we plan on doing.’’
Game 1 of the best-of-five ALDS is Monday at Petco Park, and according to Kiermaier, it is another step in the Rays winning the organization’s first World Series title. The Rays won eight of 10 games against the Yankees during the regular season.
Asked about the Yankees having a higher profile than the Rays, Kiermaier didn’t shy away.
“We know we can play with anyone. We know we can beat anyone. They are a big market team, everyone knows the Yankees, huge payroll. We are here trying to play our game. We don’t get a whole lot of recognition but at the end of the day we win ballgames,’’ Kiermaier said. “We know we are darn good at that. We don’t plan on changing anything as far as that. We plan on racking up the ‘Ws.’ We got 11 more and that is what we plan on doing.’’
The Yankees and Rays are staying in the same hotel about 45 minutes north of San Diego. The housing arrangements were a product of negotiations between MLB and the union.
The Blue Jays and Rays were at the Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg for the AL wild-card series.
“Certainly going to cross paths,’’ Rays manager Kevin Cash said on a Zoom call Friday.
The Yankees plan to work out Saturday at Petco Park and do the same on Sunday. … Rosters have to be submitted to MLB by 10 a.m. Pacific time on Monday. Aaron Boone said Thursday there could be a couple of adjustments from the AL wild-card series roster for the Yankees. … Asked about Boone labeling the Rays the “big bad No. 1 seed” Wednesday night, Cash’s response was brief. “Sure, that is interesting,’’ Cash said.
