The Yankees sit atop the AL wild-card picture after a 7-3 stretch, primed for a pivotal series in the Bronx against the Rays as both clubs chase playoff spots. Tampa Bay slid from the postseason chase after dealing assets at the deadline, while New York braces for a run at the top Wild Card and a possible surge in the crowded AL East race.

In the marquee matchup, Carlos Rodón goes for New York against Shane Baz of Tampa Bay. Aaron Judge looms as a prime DFS/street-promise option, especially given his history against Baz and his power against right-handed pitching this year. The betting line has the Yankees as slim road favorites with favorable remaining schedules helping their cause.

From a fantasy angle, Rodón’s steady 2025 profile and Judge’s popping upside against Baz stand out. The Rays’ lefty-vs-righty dynamics and Tampa’s post-deadline shift add volatility, but New York’s top OPS and runs-scoring pace keep them in the center of attention as they vie for a deeper October run.

Yankees swept the Cardinals on the road to climb to 67-57, reaching 10 games over .500 for the first time since August 1. The win push narrows the gap in the AL East and tightens the wild-card race, with NYY sitting 3.5 games ahead of Cleveland for the final AL slot while closing ground on Toronto and Boston in the division. An off day follows before six crucial divisional games, starting with two in Tampa and then four at Yankee Stadium against Boston. Aaron Boone stressed the resilient belief of this group, noting leadership through pressure and a readiness to prove it down the stretch. With six weeks left, the schedule only grows more meaningful as divisional foes loom.

The Rays loom next, a club that has scuffled lately, batting a league-worst .220 since July 20 and scoring only about 3.5 per game in that stretch. NYY has fared well against Tampa this year (7-4), including 3-1 at Steinbrenner Field. Tuesday features Rodón vs Baz, and Wednesday pairs Rasmussen with Schlittler, with Caballero’s speed a subtle but critical edge after the deadline move. The Red Sox series in the Bronx takes on extra significance as both clubs chase the top wild-card position, while Goldschmidt’s Cardinals provide a reminder of the depth fueling the playoff chase.

Twins head to the Bronx for Game 2 against the Yankees, leaning on a bullpen-first approach after a 6-2 loss in the series opener. Minnesota hands the ball to a TBD starter while Carlos Rodón starts for New York, a matchup that leans Bronx-ward given Rodón’s home-form and the Yankees’ power display in Game 1 with Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. driving the offense and Will Warren delivering 6.2 innings of two-run ball for the Twins.

Odds place the Yankees as the favorite at -220 on the moneyline with a -1.5 spread and a 9.0 total. NBC Sports’ model backs the Bronx squad on the moneyline, with a lean toward the Yankees /> at -1.5 and no strong bet on the total. Trends note Rodón’s strong home record and a lingering dip in Judge’s production since returning from the DL, while Goldschmidt’s recent slump and the surrounding Yankee lineup context shape the betting and lineup decisions for this showdown.

Two AL wild-card threats collide in the Bronx as Minnesota visits New York with a one-game cushion in the wild-card race and Carlos Rodón set to start Game 2 for the Yankees. New York, though a heavy favorite, has cooled offensively while Minnesota has not yet named a starter for this rematch, keeping bettors on edge about bullpen leverage and late-inning drama. Byron Buxton looms as the marquee prop play at +260 for a home run, anchored by his 24 homers and .282 season mark, plus favorable splits against lefties and a history against Rodón that could tip a tight game.

Buxton’s prop sits amid a curious mix: Rodón brings a 11-7 record and a 3.35 ERA but has yielded 19 homers in 24 appearances, a red flag for Yankees backers if Minnesota can coax a mistake. Minnesota’s bullpen is among the league’s harder-guess groups this season, while the Yankees show notable offensive dips in recent weeks. The dynamic is a narrative-driven, value-heavy gamble: Minnesota +1.5 could offer a hedge against a Yankee fade, while Buxton’s power upside provides a high-ceiling angle in a game that could swing on a single swing or a key bullpen battle.