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The Yankees and Rays are back at it again on Wednesday night! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Yankees-Rays prediction and pick.
We have a rubber match in Tampa! The Yankees took game 1 on Monday but the Rays stole Game 2 last night in thrilling fashion. The Rays led 5-2 in the ninth but Marwin Gonzalez hit a 2-run bomb with two outs to bring the Yanks' within one. Aaron Judge pinch-hit to try and even the game but flew out to left field. Game 3 today should be a good one as the Rays have a chance to win the series against a 50-win team.
Here are the Yankees-Rays MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Yankees-Rays Odds
New York Yankees: -1.5 (+106)
Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-128)
Over: 7 (-115)
Under: 7 (-105)
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Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread
It seems like the Yankees have won every series they have played in this season. At (50-18) the Yankees are off to a blazing start and baseball fans are witnessing history. This team is beating good teams as well, as a majority of the AL East is stacked.
Toeing the slab tonight is lefty Jordan Montgomery. He's pitching very well this year with a (3-1) record and 2.72 ERA in 72.2 innings. Montgomery's WHIP is phenomenal at 0.95 which is 10th in the majors. The southpaw has allowed just five runs in his last four games so expect him to once again be on his game. His strikeout numbers aren't eye-opening, but he is consistent as he struck out exactly five batters in four of his last five outings.
Aaron Judge will likely be back in the lineup after a day off last night. That will obviously boost the lineup as the AL MVP frontrunner is crushing every pitcher he faces. The Yanks' are still leading the majors in homers with 112 and ERA at 2.88. They dominate in all facets of the game which should make bettors comfortable.
Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
Pitching for the Rays tonight is right-hander Shane Baz. Baz struggled against the Minnesota Twins in his first outing of the season, giving up five earned runs in two innings. He responded against the Baltimore Orioles pitching six scoreless innings and striking out seven. If Baz pitches with the same force he did last time then the Yankees might be in trouble.
The Rays found a way to attack lefty Nestor Cortes last night hitting two home runs in the first inning. Issac Paredes smashed one in the first, the third, and then again in the fifth inning for a three-homer night. The 1B provided all of the offense and it was barely enough to defeat the top dogs. Tampa Bay's lineup certainly doesn't scare anyone, but they find ways to win the close games.
Sitting in fourth place in the AL East, the Rays know that winning this series is important. They are just a half-game behind the Boston Red Sox and one game behind the Toronto Blue Jays. It's going to be tough to catch up to the Yankees as NY is 13 games ahead, but the Rays are playing for the Wild Card spot in a competitive division.
Final Yankees-Rays Prediction & Pick
The Yankees won their last two games after a loss and are (8-2) in their last 10 games. With a 144-run differential, this team is on pace to be one of the best ever. This is no exaggeration, the Yankees are the real deal and they should respond here tonight. Take them to cover this spread on the road against a young pitcher.
Final Yankees-Rays Prediction & Pick: Yankees -1.5 (+106)
