Nothing beats a good rivalry.
The New York Yankees' 2020 season ended with a whimper after the Tampa Bay Rays eliminated New York from the playoffs last week. Though Yankees first baseman Luke Voit was disappointed with the outcome, he praised the Rays for finding success through unorthodox methods.
"They are a feisty bunch of hitters. They kind of play small-ball, find a way to get guys over, bunt and going first to third," Voit said on ESPN's "SportsCenter," according to George A. King III of the New York Post. "Their pitching depth is unbelievable.
"You have to give them some credit. They will bring their closer in the fourth inning just to get through the part of our lineup. It's a different philosophy, but it is working."
Voit confidently proclaimed, "We are going to win it" prior to the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series. But it was the Rays who wound up victorious. Now, Voit is promising to even the score in 2021.
"They took it to us, but you know what? We are going to be back next year and get after it," he said. "But at the end of the day, you have to tip your cap even though it is frustrating and not what we want as Yankee nation."
Voit, 29, led MLB with 22 home runs while batting .277/.338/.610 in 56 games this season.
