Photo via Yahoo Sports

The Rays have the best record in the AL. They're about to pay for it

The Tampa Bay Rays finished the regular schedule with a ninety-seven and sixty-three standing, earning the top position in the American League. Despite securing this dominant mark and locking down home-field advantage through the American League Championship Series, the club is set to draw a brutal opening playoff matchup due to league bracket quirks.

Tampa Bay will collide with the victor of the wild-card clash featuring the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Meanwhile, the American League West division is poised to yield a postseason champion possessing a losing record, as the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers battle for the crown.

League rules prioritize division winners for top seeds, potentially pitting elite ninety-plus-win squads against each other in the opening rounds while lesser-performing division victors receive easier paths. The New York Yankees face notable challenges heading into the postseason, including health concerns regarding Aaron Judge and his calf strain.

Up nextMLB· 33m ago

Braves hope bullpen can overcome stars in LA