ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays Verlander-ed Verlander in their own unique way. That is a good thing for the Yankees.

Getting a rocket first-inning home run from Tommy Pham, a clutch two-out single by Travis d’Arnaud and a titanic fourth-inning home run by emerging young star shortstop Willy Adames, the slay-the-dragon Rays chased Justin Verlander as they rolled to a 4-1 victory over the Astros at wild Tropicana Field on Tuesday night to even the ALDS at two games apiece.

The bullpenning Rays got the final two outs in the ninth — with two runners on base — from Cy Young winner Blake Snell, who earned the save as their sixth pitcher of the game.

The Rays beat Verlander with a new-age bullpen game, starting with hard-throwing Diego Castillo. The Rays produced the best bullpen ERA in baseball this season at 3.66. The Yankees’ bullpen ERA was 4.08.

The Amazin’ Rays have won two straight elimination games at home. They have pushed the mighty Astros to the brink.

“It’s October, I’m not surprised by anything,’’ Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

The Rays took care of Cy Old, Verlander, who was pitching on three days’ rest, but will have to finish the job Thursday in a winner-take-all Game 5 at Minute Maid Park against the best pitcher on the planet, Cy Young, Gerrit Cole, who fired 7 ²/₃ shutout innings in the Astros’ 3-1 victory in Game 2.

The Rays will counter with flamethrower Tyler Glasnow.

“Why not us,’’ has been Pham’s theme all series. He backed it up with the big home run with one out in the first, a rocket to left.

Verlander said he felt strong pitching on three days’ rest for the first time but did not have his usual command.

“The velocity was there, but the control wasn’t and the slider wasn’t,’’ Verlander said. “It was a good approach from those guys in the first. Not the way you would script it. It sucks.’’

That homer was one more run than the Rays scored against Verlander over seven innings in Game 1 and equaled the amount of hits they got against him in that 6-2 Houston victory.

The crowd of 32,178 roared its approval — and the Yankees are pretty happy, too.

Having dispatched the Twins in three games, they can rest up and get ready for Game 1 Saturday, against either the Rays or Astros. If it’s the Rays, that game will be at Yankee Stadium. If it’s the Astros, that game figures to feature Zack Greinke, who was hammered by the Rays on Monday night in their 10-3 Game 3 victory.

Verlander would not pitch until Game 2 of the ALCS. Cole would be set for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees may be able to get a quick jump and actually win a game at Minute Maid Park, something they did not do in the 2017 ALCS.

You can see why the Yankees felt comfortable playing the Twins and staying away from these two multi-talented teams in a short series.

Adames has exploded on the scene, hitting home runs in Games 3 and 4 and making a highlight throw in the fourth inning Tuesday night.

With Jose Altuve on first and one out, Yordan Alvarez crushed a double off the center-field wall. Kevin Kiermaier got to the ball quickly and fired a strike to Adames on the grass in short center. Adames unleashed a laser home to d’Arnaud, who made the sweep tag on Altuve.

“That throw Willy made tonight, I’m telling you,’’ Kiermaier said, “one of the most incredible, impressive throws I have ever seen. It was a perfect play, it was amazing, it’s what you dream of doing.’’

Verlander went only 3 ²/₃ innings, surrendered seven hits (two home runs), four earned runs and three walks, while striking out five.

In the two games at the Trop, Tampa Bay outscored the Astros 14-4. The Astros had no answers for the multiple relief pitchers the Rays and wily manager Kevin Cash threw at them.

Different angles, right- and left-handed. First it was Castillo, then came lefty Ryan Yarborough, righty Nick Anderson, lefty Colin Poche, righty Emilio Pagan and lefty Snell.

On this night, the Astros were bullpenned by the Rays.