The Tampa Bay Rays have officially announced their Game 2 starter for the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Freddy Peralta will take the mound Monday night, giving Tampa Bay one of its hottest pitchers down the stretch a chance to help the Rays take a commanding lead in the series.

The decision comes after Drew Rasmussen delivered a spectacular performance in Game 1, allowing just one hit over eight innings as Tampa Bay shut out New York 1-0.

Peralta has been dominant since joining Tampa Bay

Sep 19, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Peralta has been outstanding since the Rays acquired him at the trade deadline. After posting a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts with the New York Mets, the right-hander finished the regular season with a 3.25 ERA over 10 starts for Tampa Bay.

His September was even more impressive. Peralta went 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA over his final six starts, while recording a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across four home starts for the Rays. He was also named the AL Pitcher of the Month for September.

That recent dominance made Peralta an obvious candidate to receive the ball at some point in the ALDS, particularly with Tampa Bay facing a dangerous Yankees lineup.

Yankees counter with Cam Schlittler

Jul 6, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The Yankees will send their own dominant young right-hander to the mound in Game 2. Cam Schlittler is scheduled to start for New York, creating a fascinating pitching matchup between two pitchers who finished the regular season in excellent form.

Schlittler finished the regular season with a 1.95 ERA and carried that success into the postseason, helping the Yankees eliminate the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series.

Tampa Bay now has an opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead after Rasmussen’s dominant Game 1 performance. The Rays entered the ALDS with the American League’s best regular-season record and are now one win away from putting the Yankees in a significant hole.

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