Jonathan Aranda

Vilade started over Aranda at first base against a lefty on Monday. That Mesa committed a miscue in that one might factor into him taking a seat tonight, but on paper, going to Vilade against a righty seems like a bit of a downgrade both offensively and defensively. The Rays’ lineup as they try to extend the series: DH Yandy Díaz, 1B Aranda, 3B Junior Caminero, C Liam Hicks, CF Jonny DeLuca, LF Chandler Simpson, RF Vilade, 2B Richie Palacios and SS Taylor Walls.

Aranda has been a platoon player in the past, but not so much recently. He had started all of the Rays’ previous postseason games, and he’s hit .310/.383/.405 in 48 plate appearances. Ryan Vilade is playing first base in his place tonight, and Nick Fortes is catching over Liam Hicks. The lineup: DH Yandy Díaz, 1B Vilade, LF Chandler Simpson, 3B Junior Caminero, 2B Ben Williamson, CF Jonny DeLuca, RF Victor Mesa Jr., C Fortes and SS Taylor Walls.

Aranda singled off of Jacob Misiorowski in the opening inning, but the Rays were unable to cash him in. He then worked a leadoff walk in the fourth inning and scored on an RBI ground out off the bat of Liam Hicks. He also singled in the sixth inning but was cut down attempting to steal second base. While he did his part on Friday night, the Rays are going to need to find a way to get much more offense in Game 2 on Saturday or they could be facing a 2-0 deficit in the Series.

Aranda tied the game at 1-1 with a bloop single into center in the third inning. The 28-year-old had a two-run single in the seventh to extend that lead to 4-1, but he was credited with just one more RBI because of an error by Chase DeLauter. He’s now hitting a respectable .269/.345/.385 in the postseason, and he has the Rays two wins from their second trip to the World Series in Rays’ history.

Aranda connected on a third-inning changeup from Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, sending a majestic 417-foot blast into the right-center field seats for his first career playoff round-tripper. It wound up being the lone run for either side in a low-scoring pitcher’s duel at Tropicana Field to kick off the best-of-five series. The two teams return to action with Game 2 in Tampa Bay on Monday evening.

The Rays haven’t said anything about Aranda, but something must be up for him to be sitting out for the third time in five games and this time against a righty. But we’re guessing that whatever it is, he’d be playing through it if the Rays hadn’t clinched the AL East. They have Ryan Vilade starting at first base for a third straight game tonight.

While Aranda does stay in the lineup against most left-handers, he’ll get a breather in this one with Patrick Sandoval toeing the slab for the Red Sox. Expect him to make an appearance off the bench in a key late game spot if the right situation arises. Ryan Vilade will start in his place at first base and will bat second for the Rays on Sunday afternoon in Tampa Bay.

Aranda continues to end the season with a strong month, hitting his fifth homer in September with a solo blast off Brayan Bello in the fourth inning. The 28-year-old slugger is up to 22 homers and 92 RBI while slashing .277/.360/.440 across 648 plate appearances.

Aranda had a big day at the plate, starting with a walk in the third. He then took Enyel De Los Santos deep for a solo homer in the fourth to extend the Tampa Bay lead. He went yard again in the seventh for a two-run blast to cap off the Rays’ blowout win. The 28-year-old first baseman is hitting .278/.362/.438 with 21 homers and 89 RBI across 630 plate appearances.

He’ll get a rare rest against Braves LHP Martin Pérez. Aranda has played 141 of Tampa’s 145 games this year and has been hot of late; it’s certainly possible he pinch-hits. He’s hitting .277/.360/.427 in a disappointing year for his power but has been a reasonable 1B option in deep or OBP-leaning leagues.

Aranda went hitless in his first three at-bats before knocking a base hit and scoring a run in the eighth. He then came through in a big spot for the Rays, taking Jacob Latz deep for a three-run blast in the tenth inning to take the lead. It was Aranda’s fifth home run in the second half, four of them coming in his last 11 games. The 28-year-old first baseman is up to 19 with 85 RBI while hitting .278/.361/.429 across 601 plate appearances.

The Rays big three at the top of their order had their way in this game. Aranda, Yandy Díaz, and Junior Caminero combined to go 7-for-14 with three doubles, one home run, four RBI, and four runs scored. The home run belonged to Aranda, which gave him 18 on the year along with 82 RBI – seventh-most in the American League.

Aranda took Walker Buehler deep for a solo homer in the third inning. He’s slowed down a bit in the power department after slugging 14 homers in the first half. Saturday’s blast was just his third since the All-Star break. The 28-year-old first baseman is up to 17 with 63 runs scored and 79 RBI while hitting .279/.362/.424 across 574 plate appearances.

Aranda’s home run was his 16th of the year. He hit a solo shot off Framber Valdez in the sixth inning. Aranda’s home run was his first since August 7 against the Mariners, a span of 15 games where he hit .230 with no power. He’s hitting .280 with a .783 OPS and 78 RBI on the season.

Aranda will get a rare breather in this one with left-hander Trevor Rogers toeing the slab for the Orioles. Liam Hicks will start in his place at first base and will bat eighth for the Rays while Kenny Piper does the catching.

Entering the ninth inning trailing 6-2, Aranda would single to drive home Taylor Walls and Richie Palacios to cut the O’s lead to 6-4. Aranda has enjoyed a hot start to August and is now slashing .306/.358/.388 with two extra-base hits and 10 RBI.

Aranda seems to have pulled out of his slump with homers the last two days. He’s 11-for-27 with two homers and eight RBI in six games this month.

Facing Rockies pitching at Coors Field was just what the slumping Aranda needed. He was 11-for-60 with one RBI and 21 strikeouts in his previous 15 games.

Ryan Vilade gets an opportunity to face lefty Noah Schultz once opener Jordan Hicks departs. Aranda has been struggling recently, hitting .182 (10-for-55) with one extra-base hit in 14 games since the All-Star break. It’ll be a different-looking Tampa Bay lineup in this one with speedster Chandler Simpson hitting second behind Yandy Díaz.

It’s nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 28-year-old slugger with tough left-hander Parker Messick toeing the slab for the Guardians. Ryan Vilade will cover first base in his absence and will bat second for the Rays on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field.