New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays: Gerrit Cole vs. Blake Snell

Overture, curtain, lights.

The marquee AL playoff matchup starts tonight, as increasingly-bitter rivals face off in game one of the ALDS. Both the Yankees and Rays swept their wild card series, lining their aces up for what should be an exciting game.

You all know about Gerrit Cole by now. The $324-million man was excellent in his first year in the Bronx, and pitched well last Tuesday in Cleveland. Cole went seven innings, allowed two runs, and struck out 13 with zero walks. So much of Cole’s eventual Yankee legacy will be drawn out of this series, though, as the Rays will see him for the fourth time in 2020. Tampa handed Cole one of his worst outings of the year back in August, clubbing two home runs and working four walks in just five innings.

The Rays send Blake Snell to the mound to counter, and if we know all about Cole, we know even more about Snell, as he’s faced the Yankees more than any other opponent in his career. He works a fastball up in the zone to set up a devastating curve ball, but a lineup full of righty power will hopefully be up to the challenge.

Time: 8:07 PM ET

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, California

TV: TBS

Streaming: FuboTV

Radio: ESPN Radio, WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (local listings)