The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays will continue their three-game series at Tropicana Field on Wednesday evening. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Yankees-Rays prediction and pick.
New York took the series opener by a score of 4-3 behind a quality start from Jordan Montgomery. New York has continued to play well over the past few weeks and now it seems clear that they will be looking to add pieces at the trade deadline. Tampa Bay will look to bounce back after losing their second-straight game following their five-game winning streak.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Yankees-Rays odds.
MLB Odds: Yankees-Rays Odds
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New York Yankees +1.5 (-165)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+145)
Over 8.5 Runs (-111)
Under 8.5 Runs (-109)
Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread
The New York Yankees are right in the midst of a quiet playoff chase as they're just 2.5 games back of the second wild card spot in the American League. The Yankees have been playing well lately despite some key absences. Aaron Judge returned to the lineup on Tuesday, which was a promising sign for New York as they continue to make a push. They have now won six of their last nine games and four of their last five at Tropicana Field.
New York will turn to left-hander Nestor Cortes as they look to clinch the series. Cortes has been impressive for the Yankees with a 1.95 ERA through 10 appearances and two starts. The southpaw has a 1.01 WHIP and has struck out 34 batters over 27.2 innings of work this season. Cortes had a strong outing against Houston before the break and will look to bounce back after a three-run outing against the Red Sox on July 23.
Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
The Tampa Bay Rays continue to trail the Boston Red Sox by just two games in the AL East. They have a stronghold on the first wild card spot, but the Rays have made it abundantly clear that they won't settle for anything less than a division title. The defending American League champs are 60-41 on the year with an impressive 30-19 record at Tropicana Field. They have continued their elite level of play over the past few weeks with wins in 13 of their last 18 games to date.
Tampa Bay will turn to right-hander Michael Wacha as they look to even the series. Wacha has been less than impressive with a 2-2 record and 5.16 ERA through 17 appearance and 12 starts. He has struck out just 57 batters and has a 1.34 WHIP through 66.1 innings of work. The veteran right-hander has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last two starts against the Orioles and Braves. Tampa will need their veteran to bounce back and eat some innings.
Final Yankees-Rays Prediction & Pick
I'm not sure what it is, but the Yankees seem to love playing in Tampa Bay. They've had a ton of success there and with the way they've been playing lately, I expect much of the same. Michael Wacha has been hitter-friendly over his past couple of starts and the Yankees have been getting the bats going. Thankfully everyone is recovering from their COVID outbreak, but the absence of some key players may have been just what the Yankees needed. The young prospects that were called up to replace guys like Judge and Gio Urshela have instilled some life into this group.
FINAL PICK: New York Yankees ML (+114)
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