The Tampa Bay Rays currently hold a 3-2 AL Championship Series (ALCS) advantage over the Cleveland Guardians. Winners of Games 4 and 5 in Cleveland over the weekend, the Rays look to complete an ALCS win in Monday night's Game 6. Ahead of the pivotal matchup, former major leaguers AJ Pierzynski and Curtis Granderson broke down the matchup on Foul Territory TV. The show shared via X (formerly Twitter) Pierzynski's thoughts on Tampa Bay DH Yandy Diaz not having a single ABS challenge this year so far.
“I think he's crazy,” remarked Pierzynski on the show. “I mean, he can hit, but he's crazy.”
Diaz has over 700 plate appearances for the Rays this year. One of the key parts in Tampa Bay's lineup, the veteran has become a fan favorite in St. Petersburg after being acquired from the Guardians a few years ago. He usually serves as the Rays' leadoff hitter. In the Game 4 7-3 win on Saturday, Diaz capped off the victory with his first home run of the playoffs. If Tampa Bay hopes to capture both Game 6 and the series Monday evening, then Diaz will need to produce at the plate once again.
The Guardians will go with veteran reliever Shawn Armstrong as a likely opener, while the Rays will send trade deadline pickup Freddy Peralta to the bump. Peralta has rediscovered his top form since joining the AL East champions. He's given them a true 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation alongside Drew Rasmussen. If ace Shane McClanahan wasn't currently injured, it's possible the Rays would have already locked up the series. Will Diaz continue his insane streak of no ABS challenges in Game 6? If so, that might bode well for the AL's top seed on Monday evening.