Rays' Yandy Díaz carries hot bat into World Series against Brewers
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz had three hits in a 3-1 Game 5 win over Cleveland.
The Cuban slugger enters the World Series as his team's leading October hitter.
Background
Yandy Díaz is a 35-year-old Cuban designated hitter and leadoff man for the Tampa Bay Rays, a 2023 batting-title winner and two-time All-Star who is the longest-tenured player on the roster. He began his MLB career with Cleveland in 2017 and was acquired by the Rays in the 2018-19 offseason. He is central to this story because his October surge — a .314 postseason average as the Rays' leadoff hitter — has come as Tampa Bay reached the World Series for the third time in the franchise's 29 seasons.
How it unfolded
- 2013The Guardians signed Díaz as an international free agent.
- 2017Díaz began his major league career with Cleveland.
- 2018 -19 offseasonThe Rays acquired Díaz from Cleveland.
- 2020He helped the Rays reach the World Series, where they lost in six games to the Dodgers.
- 2023Díaz won the batting title and earned an All-Star nod.
- Oct 17, 2026Díaz hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning of Game 4 in Cleveland.
- Oct 18, 2026Díaz doubled in the first inning of Game 5 in Cleveland.
- Oct 19, 2026Díaz had three hits, including a double, and scored the first run in a 3-1 win over the Guardians, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series.
- Oct 19, 2026The Rays advanced to the World Series by winning Game 6 of the ALCS at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Oct 21, 2026FanGraphs called Díaz the best pure hitter in this World Series.
- Oct 22, 2026Díaz had slashed .308/.341/.564 in October with two home runs, four RBI and four doubles, leading the team in OPS and the only player in double figures in hits with 12; the World Series was set to begin Friday night between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Rays.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Rays manager Kevin Cash said that as Díaz goes, the team goes, and that what he does at the top of the lineup ignites everybody.
- Party
- Rays closer Bryan Baker said that when Díaz gets going, the team is different because of the way he works at-bats.
- Analysts
- FanGraphs called Díaz the best pure hitter in this World Series.
Still unverified
Díaz guaranteed the Rays would win Game 6 of the ALCS; the AP report said the guarantee did not become bulletin-board material for the Guardians.