The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 in the series opener, with Gerrit Cole pitching six strong innings and Juan Soto going 4 for 4. Soto's performance included a personal success against Rays' starter Zach Eflin, with a .500 batting average against him. Anthony Volpe contributed with a bases-clearing double in a four-run third inning for the Yankees. The game saw Soto score after Rays errors and Brandon Lowe hitting a home run for Tampa Bay. The Yankees will continue the series with Nestor Cortes taking the mound in the next game.