There is no question that the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays have one of the fiercer rivalries in the game today. The two teams are considered the favorites for the AL East title, expected to battle it out until the final days of the season. It is also plainly clear that there is a great deal of bad blood between the two teams.
That bad blood was plainly apparent during their most recent series. Three players on the Rays were hit by Yankees’ pitchers, something that certainly did not escape notice.
#Rays Zunino on #Rays batters being hit by #Yankees in all 3 games: "If it is coincidence it's crazy it happened three days in a row.''
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 11, 2021
New York Yankees throwing at Tampa Bay Rays?
The timing of these batters being hit is also strangely coincidental. Each time it happened, there were two outs in the inning and no one on base. Yankees pitchers will claim they were just trying to protect the inner part of the plate, but it is certainly suspicious.
As this has been happening since last year, the Rays are understandably irritated. Masahiro Tanaka escaped punishment when he hit Joey Wendle during their game on September 1, 2020. Aroldis Chapman did get suspended for throwing at Mike Brosseau, but that punishment was reduced on an appeal that took far too long to be heard.
Baseball players have long memories. Those actions will not be soon forgotten, especially as the two teams face off for another three game series beginning on Friday at Yankee Stadium. It may not be a surprise to see the Rays send a message of their own in the form of a pitch between the numbers.
Frankly, Major League Baseball needs these rivalries. They need those teams that truly hate one another, where every game has an aura of anticipation. These games are must watch television, as that sheer disdain can bubble over at any time, each inning a true battle of will.
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays have a great deal of bad blood between them. Their most recent series was just a reminder.