The chants were loud, but Aaron Judge was louder — with his bat. In the first inning of Thursday night’s divisional clash, Rays fans jeered the Yankees captain with cries of “overrated.” Judge didn’t flinch. Instead, he delivered an RBI single that quieted the crowd and reminded everyone why he wears the “C” in the Bronx.
While Judge came through early, the storyline surrounding the Yankees quickly shifted to rookie right-hander Will Warren, who couldn’t make it out of the second inning.
As of this writing, the Yankees and Rays are tied 3–3 in the bottom of the fifth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field; however, the Yankees would go on to win it 6–3.
What made the night even more unusual was the setting. For the first time, the Yankees were technically the visiting team in their own spring training home. The four-game series against the Rays is being played at Steinbrenner Field — not because of scheduling quirk, but necessity. After Hurricane Milton tore off roof panels at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on October 9, the ballpark was deemed unusable. With no quick fix in sight, the Rays arranged to borrow the Yankees’ open-air, 11,026-seat facility across the bay in Tampa for the foreseeable future.
Yankees fans blast Will Warren for another short start
Warren lasted just 1.2 innings, throwing 52 pitches and surrendering four hits and one earned run. It wasn’t a blow-up outing, but in a tight divisional game and with no off day coming until next week, it wasn’t nearly good enough for the Yankees.
The reaction online was immediate and unforgiving. “52 pitches and not even 2 full innings pitched,” one fan wrote in reply to @TalkinYanks.
“Nice guy, but it’s the same every time they call him up,” added another.
One comment went straight to the point: “F—ing loser. Go to Scranton.”
Another fan chimed in sarcastically: “Still better than Stroman. Low bar I know.”
Even the scheduling was called into question: “No off day until this time next week… interesting choice.”
It’s clear Yankees fans are running out of patience with Warren’s lack of consistency — especially with Gerrit Cole still sidelined.
Yankees rotation depth being put to the test
Without Cole, the Yankees are depending on their younger arms to hold the line — and Warren hasn’t been able to do that. His ERA is hovering over 5.00, and his inability to get through even two full innings Thursday meant another early call to the bullpen.
The Yankees have asked a lot of their relievers in the season’s first few weeks, and outings like this only compound the issue. If Warren can’t give them length or stability, the Yankees may need to explore internal promotions or external reinforcements soon.
Judge’s response to the “overrated” chant wasn’t just a highlight — it was a tone-setter. His RBI single tied the game at 1–1 and proved once again why he’s the face of the Yankees, both statistically and emotionally.
Judge’s response to the “overrated” chant wasn’t just a highlight — it was a tone-setter. His RBI single tied the game at 1–1 and proved once again why he’s the face of the Yankees, both statistically and emotionally. He later added a walk and fired a perfect throw from right field to cut down a runner at third, snuffing out a potential Rays rally. Even in a game that was far from over, Judge made the kind of statement that defines a leader. No celebration. No smirk. Just business.
The Yankees and Rays continue their four-game set Friday night, with Carlos Rodon scheduled to start opposite Drew Rasmussen at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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