Update: 

      The Rays are still holding on tight to their No. 1 Seed Spot. The Toronto Blue Jays have pushed past the New York Yankees to be the second-place team. The Yankees are in a key series against the Blue Jays. The Rays face the defending World Series Champions, Nationals.    

       The Tampa Bay Rays are swinging their way into first place. After an exciting August, the Rays are now first place in the American League and in the American League East division. The incumbent division champions, New York Yankees, were not happy about this or being swept at home in recent weeks. This week the Rays and the Yankees are at it again in the Bronx. This time tensions rise as the rivalry is flaring up.  

          According to Fox Sports, on Tuesday night, Yankees starting pitcher, Masahiro Tanaka, threw a 95 mph pitch that hit Rays infielder, Joey Wende, in the first inning. Later in the ninth, the Yankees reliever threw a 101 mph pitch over the head of Rays infielder Michael Brosseau. This has sparked arguments that go back to late September in 2018 when retired Yankees pitcher, CC Sabathia,  threw a ball at former Rays catcher, Jesus Sucre. Due to situations in the game and postgame comments, Rays manager Kevin Cash, Yankees manager Aaron Boone , and Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman were all suspended on Wednesday afternoon.    

        The Rays bats exploded in the first inning as they belted two home runs off of Yankees pitcher, Jordan Montgomery. Despite their manager’s suspension and tensions with the Yankees. According to the Fox Sports commentators, the Rays held a positive outlook throughout the game. Michael Brosseau led the first place Rays throughout the night with two home runs.  Although Tampa Bay moved past the boiling arguments New York may not have. Yankees reliever, Ben Heller, was ejected in the 5th inning after hitting Rays outfielder, Hunter Renfroe, with a 94 mph pitch. The reliever and Yankees acting manager, Carlos Mendoza, immediately pleaded the reliever’s case following the ejection, however the call stood. The Rays later won the game 5 – 2, capping their 8 – 2 season series record against the Yankees. The Rays increased their division lead to 4 1/2 games. This series win helps the Rays make it to the postseason as they hold on to their No. 1 seed spot.