Yankees: Sharing hotel with Rays ‘not ideal’

A heated rivalry that’s sure to bringpostseasondramaisalready broiling with some entry-level hotel awkwardness.

TheYankeesandRaysarestaying at the same hotel in San Diego duringtheAmericanLeagueDivisionSeriesthatwillbeginMonday night at Petco Park.

The Yankees touched down Thursday and the Rays, as far as the Yankees could tell, reached the hotel late Friday night. In the chunks of waking hours since, players from both teams have crossed paths.

“It’s a little unique being at the same hotel with your opponent,” Aaron Boone said. “Baseball in 2020 … I don’t expect it to be a factor.”

Might hotel run-ins be enough for the heavily documented bad blood between division rivals to start off-site brawls? Perhaps food fights during breakfast? The Yankees were unanimous in regardtowhattoexpectthisweek — namely, classy interactions — but it’s fair to wonder whether that’s just wishful thinking.

Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier drove the wedge even deeper Friday when he said, “I’ve said it manytimes:Theydon’tlike us [and] we don’t like them.”

Brett Gardner, in response to Kiermaier’sremark,saidonSaturday,“Ithinkthefeelingisprobably mutual.”

“I saw a few guys last night and this morning,” said Gardner, the longest-tenured Yankee who’s experienced his fair share of rivalries across his 13 years in the Bronx.

“I just said, ‘Hey,” and kept walking. Obviously, it’s not ideal but it’s the cards that we’ve been dealt.

“We got a group of guys that’s very professional and it’s just business as usual. Yeah, it may not be ideal, but it’s a big resort. We got a lot of space and so far it’s been good.”

No, the notion of side eyes and increased tension at a hotel that is, accordingtoRaysmanagerKevin Cash,situated45minutesoutside of downtown San Diego wasn’t a mistake by Major League Baseball’s traveling agents. The setup was a result of MLB’s COVID19 protocols so the league could manufacture a neutral site and an atmosphere that somewhat resembles a postseason bubble.

Gardner said there’s no one on the Rays squad that he’s trying to purposely avoid at the hotel/ resort, and no one that he’s “too scared of.” The 37-year-old said a lot has been made of the drama between the division rivals, but the only priority is advancing to the AL Chsmpionship Series.

“I expect both teams to be professional at the hotel; there’s families there,” said Zack Britton. “I don’t expect that to carry over away from the field. It’s all about the competition on the field.

“Obviously, we’re two passionateteamssoIdon’texpectthereto be any issues in the hotel.”