The top two teams in the American League East go head-to-head as the New York Yankees travel to the Sunshine State to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. With this intriguing matchup expected to be absolutely electric, it is time to check out our MLB odds series, where our Yankees-Rays prediction and pick will take place.
At 31-13 and 14-6 on the road, the Yankees will be looking to extend their division lead on the Rays by sending out an early AL Cy Young candidate in LHP Nestor Cortes, who has compiled a 3-1 record and a dazzling 1.80 ERA through eight starts.
Tampa Bay is also experiencing a two-game winning streak themselves after overwhelming the Marlins over the past couple of days. The 26-17 Rays seem to be clicking on all cylinders since their sluggish start to the season. Responsible for trying to give his team the opening series win in this one will be another lefty in Ryan Yarbrough, who has struggled at times with a 4.20 ERA and is eager to lower that mark as the season progresses.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Yankees-Rays MLB odds.
MLB Odds: Yankees-Rays Odds
New York Yankees: -1.5 (+142)
Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-172)
Over: 7.5 (-105)
Under: 7.5 (-115)
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Why The Yankees Could Cover the Spread
One of the best overall teams in baseball, the Yankees are poised for a World Series run as the month of May nears its final stages. Even with some injuries popping up on the injured list over the past couple of days, this is still a Yankees squad that presents phenomenal depth, something that not all teams in the Major Leagues are fortunate enough in having.
In order for the Yankees to increase their division lead and wreak havoc upon Tampa Bay, New York will need to continue their extreme balance at the plate and on the mound.
The Yankees have terrorized their opponents with the long ball, as it seems they have had the uncanny ability so far this year to make teams pay when a mistake pitch is thrown their way. Through 44 games, the Yankees have spanked a league-leading 63 home runs over the fence.
Not to mention, their dominant pitching may be even more destructive towards the opposition's hopes and dreams, as the Yankees have looked even better as a unit on the rubber. With the third-best team ERA of 3.00, the Yankees are limiting the team's opportunities to inflict damage on the Bronx Bombers. The starter tasked with pitching deep into this one will be Cortes, as the Yankees' most productive hurler this season is 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA in seven career appearances against the Rays.
As a whole, New York possesses a batting average against of .222 and an extremely effective WHIP at 1.11, this bunch is starting to draw similarities to the more recent golden age of Yankees baseball in the late 90s to the late 00s.
Why The Rays Could Cover the Spread
Tampa Bay is surely coming on strong at the exact right time, as the Rays poor start to the 2022 season is way in the rearview mirror 43 games into the campaign. In fact, the Rays have slowly and steadily worked themselves into striking distance of New York, as they only sit 4.5 games back of the top team in the division. When pitted against Yankees of late, it is safe to say that Tampa Bay has brutally taken advantage of their rivals.
Entering Thursday's showdown, Tampa Bay has come out victorious in 19 of the last 29 matchups between these two over the past two seasons, in which they have outscored the ‘Yanks by 61 runs over that span. This bodes well for the Rays, as they rebounded nicely against a Marlins team that they have defeated 16 out of the last 18 times they have squared off with their Florida inter-league neighbors.
Offensively, the Rays will need to take advantage of every break or bounce they get against the New York pitching staff and bullpen. The Rays have certainly proved that they are not in the same league at the plate in comparison to the Yankees, but this is still a group that can erupt at any given time in the most productive of ways. Tampa Bay has scored the 13th most runs in baseball with 189.
On the hill is where the Rays really feel the most comfortable, as they have been absolutely electric in shutting down opposing hitters. With a slightly higher ERA at 3.30 than the Yankees, the Rays have the second-best team WHIP at 1.11 and are only allowing clubs to hit .218 off them. The biggest difference-maker in this entire game may come down to Yarbrough, who has always pitched nicely against the Yankees with a 5-2 record and a 2.41 ERA in ten career appearances versus New York.
Final Yankees-Rays Prediction & Pick
With all eyes on this opening game of this thrilling series, there is no doubt that this contest has the ability to come down to the wire. Expect this one to come down to which bullpen is sharpest, as the Rays find a way to continue their winning ways over New York on Thursday.
Final Yankees-Rays Prediction & Pick: Rays +1.5 (-172)
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