Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz is calling his shot.
The Rays All-Star played a huge role in Tampa Bay’s wire-to-wire Game 5 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday to take a 3-2 series lead in the ALCS. Diaz went 3-for-5 at the plate with a run scored in the 3-1 contest at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
After the game, Diaz was asked about his Rays being one win away from making the World Series. The Cuban-born slugger claimed one game was all Tampa Bay needed.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Diaz told reporters.
“All of us are thinking of it. But it all ends tomorrow. We’re going to win tomorrow.”
Diaz has never lacked confidence, and that clearly wasn’t going to change after his career-defining performance in Game 5. If the Rays go on to win the series, Diaz has a case to be named the 2026 ALCS MVP.
Through five games, the 35-year-old has gone 8-for-23 (.348) at the plate with a home run and 2 RBIs in what has mostly been a low-scoring series.
The lone criticism Rays fans may have of Diaz is his continued reluctance to challenge calls when at the plate. The star infielder, as he has all season, refused to challenge a strikeout pitch that was clearly outside the zone.
Diaz silenced his critics with a game-sealing home run in his next at-bat.
