Rays Sweep Yankees to Reach ALCS

The Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees in the ALDS, ending New York’s season with a 4–3 win in Game 3 and extending the Yankees’ World Series drought to 17 seasons. Victor Mesa Jr.’s two-run homer broke a sixth-inning tie, and a fan-interference call moments later turned Anthony Volpe’s apparent tying home run into an RBI double, helping preserve Tampa Bay’s lead. The Rays’ bullpen held on, with Bryan Baker recording his third save of the series. Yankees manager Aaron Boone benched Jazz Chisholm Jr. for the elimination game after his defensive struggles and hitless start to the series; Chisholm was booed by fans and said the boos were confusing as he approached free agency. Cody Bellinger publicly backed Boone, while the manager’s future and the Yankees’ postseason shortcomings became offseason questions.