We’re back with another Major League Baseball betting prediction and pick as we head to the American League East for the first game of the season-long rivalry between these two teams. The New York Yankees (11-7) will face the Tampa Bay Rays (8-10) in the first of 13 meetings this season. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series with a prediction and pick for the Yankees versus the Rays.
The New York Yankees most recently defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3, sweeping the three-game series. They’ve won five of their last seven games and are heavy favorites to win the World Series this year, so this will be the next chapter in their highly anticipated journey.
The Tampa Bay Rays most recently lost 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox, giving them a 2-3 record in their last five games. They’ve gone 4-6 in their last ten games and weren’t particularly competitive in baseball’s toughest division last season, so they’re hoping to get off to a good start against the favorites.
Yankees-Rays Projected Starters
Will Warren (RHP) vs. Taj Bradley (RHP)
Will Warren (1-0) with a 5.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 15 K, 14.0 IP
Last Start: (W) vs. SF – 5.0 IP, 6 K, 2 ER
Away Splits: (0-0) with a 9.00 ERA, .353 OBA, 5 K, 4.0 IP
Taj Bradley (2-0) with a 3.71 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 21 K, 17.0 IP
Last Start: (W) vs. ATL – 6.0 IP, 7 K, 1 ER
Home Splits: (2-0) with a 2.25 ERA, .227 OBA, 14 K, 12.0 IP
Here are the MLB odds , courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Yankees-Rays Odds
New York Yankees: -1.5 (+152)
Moneyline: -102
Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-184)
Moneyline: -116
Over: 9 (-112)
Under: 9 (+100)
How to Watch Yankees vs. Rays
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET/ 4:05 p.m.PT
TV: Prime Video
Why The Yankees Will Cover The Spread/Win
The New York Yankees defeated the Royals 12-6 during their three-game sweep, with Aaron Judge hitting his seventh home run of the season. He’s on a mission to have a historic hitting season, and he’ll undoubtedly be the driving force behind this Yankees team all season.
The Yankees’ bullpen has also been on fire this season, closing out tight games down the stretch and giving them a significant advantage in one- or two-run contests. Behind their bats, they can outperform any major league team.
Last season, the Yankees went 7-6 against Tampa Bay, but their start this year points to a much more lopsided rivalry. Will Warren did not have the best outing his last time on the road, but he only allowed two runs in his most recent start against the Giants. The Yankees are currently riding a wave of momentum, so expect them to keep it going during this series.
Why The Rays Will Cover the Spread and Win
After finishing fourth in the division last season, the Tampa Bay Rays will face another competitive heap, with the Yankees at the top. They’ve been a streaky team this season, scoring as many as 16 runs just three games ago against Boston before being shut out in their most recent meeting.
They’re adjusting to new players like Christopher Morel and learning to live without players like Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena, who provide big moments of offense in their lineup.
Taj Bradley will take the mound after winning two of his previous three starts. In both of those victories, he pitched six innings and allowed two or fewer runs. He’s also had exactly seven strikeouts in each of his three starts this season, so expect his pitches to move against the aggressive Yankees hitters. If he can change speeds and keep their lineup guessing, he should give the Rays a good chance, as he has yet to lose a home start this season.
Final Yankees-Rays Prediction and Pick.
The Yankees are the clear betting favorites in this game, as they are expected to play in the vast majority of their games this season. However, the Tampa Bay Rays have a slight advantage in the pitching department due to Taj Bradley’s consistency thus far. If he can get out in front of the Yankees’ lineup and maintain his strikeout rate, the Rays will have a good chance to win this game.
Still, it will be difficult to bet against the Yankees this season, and I do not expect this series to be close. Furthermore, the Yankees will have a large number of fans at George Steinbrenner Field, where they play Spring Training, so this is a ballpark they are familiar with. Let’s avoid betting against trends and go with the New York Yankees to win this game.
