ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2014 More often than not, teams cannot use Trajekt pitching machines on the road.<\/p>\n
While most big league stadiums have the contraptions, which feature a video board and can simulate any pitcher, they are typically considered a home field advantage. Visiting teams get stuck with traditional pitching machines while home teams keep the high-tech, expensive-to-lease Trajekt to themselves.<\/p>\n
But the Tampa Bay area is not a normal road destination for the Yankees, who are down 1-0 to the Rays in the ALDS. Their spring training stadium, George M. Steinbrenner Field, and player development complex, nicknamed Himes, are across the street from each other in Tampa, and they have a Trajekt machine on site. Aaron Boone said the Bombers made the most of it on Sunday\u2019s off day, opting to work out at their own facilities instead of at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
The Trajekt wasn\u2019t the only reason they made that choice, but it didn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of them are there,\u201d Boone said over Zoom. \u201cAs we speak, probably finishing up right now. Our pitchers are there throwing and doing things, and a number of position players over there, as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got a full facility, our training stuff, modalities, things like that, plenty of fields to get whatever space you need. We\u2019ve got Trajekt for guys who want to get on that. And staying in Tampa, it\u2019s a quick, easier back and forth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those who used the Trajekt surely simulated at-bats against Freddy Peralta, who will start Game 2 of the ALDS for the Rays on Monday. The Yankees\u2019 offense is looking for any edge it can get after Drew Rasmussen no-hit them for 7.2 innings in Game 1 on Saturday. Austin Wells had the only hit of the night, and he was thrown out trying to unwisely stretch a double into a triple<\/a>.<\/p>\n Peralta, meanwhile, is coming off a down-and-up season that took off after he was traded from the Mets. He recorded a 3.25 ERA over 10 starts with the Rays, and he has a 1.69 ERA across four starts at The Trop this year.<\/p>\n Boone noted that the right-hander\u2019s fastball plays up at the indoor ballpark.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a little bit of familiarity,\u201d the manager continued. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen him a couple times the last couple years. Some of our guys have experience against him, so hopefully that serves us well.\u201d<\/p>\n While active Yankees hitters were busy preparing for Peralta on Sunday, an inactive hitter continued to rehab in Tampa.<\/p>\n