Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Tampa Bay Rays (35-27) and New York Yankees (46-16) will wrap up a three-game series on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York and can be viewed on MLB Network.  

Score Prediction

Yankees 5, Rays 2

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• Under 7.5 (-110) at BetMGM

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Betting Predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays enter this matchup third in the AL East standings, 10 games behind the Yankees for first place. The Rays were shutout in game-one of this series and have gone 5-5 SU in their last 10 games. Tampa Bay has relied on their bullpen most of this season with the offense struggling to get much going. The bullpen has pitched great and have held opponents to two runs or less in three of their last five games. Right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen was scheduled to start Thursday, but was placed on the injured list Wednesday (hamstring) so no starter has been announced yet as of Wednesday night. 

 New York is currently first in the AL East standings with a nine-game lead over the second place Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees have been great all season and have gone 12-1 SU over their last 13 games. The offense has averaged eight runs per game over their last five, well above their season average of 5.1 runs per game. New York’s bullpen has been one of the best in the league and have 10 shutouts on the season. The right-hander Luis Severino is expected to take the mound Thursday. Severino is 4-1 in 11 games this season with an ERA of 2.80 and has given up 48 hits, 19 earned runs, and struck out 71 batters in 61.0 innings.  

New York is 3-2 SU against the Rays this season. I like that trend to continue Thursday. The Rays have not been able to get anything going against the Yankees bullpen and that should be no different in this matchup. Also, with Rasmussen out I expect the Yankees to have a big day with their bats.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Betting Odds

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Betting Resources

• Date: Thursday, June 16, 2022
• Matchup: AL East
• Stadium: Yankee Stadium
• Location: Bronx, New York
• TV-Time: MLBN - 7:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Analysis

Prior to the results of game-two, the Rays are 35-26 SU, 29-32 ATS, and have an O/U record of 27-32-2. The total has gone under in five of Tampa Bay’s last seven road games. Following this trend, the total has gone under in four of their last five against an AL East opponent. The Rays are 13-6 SU in their last 19 games when playing on the road against New York and 14-13 SU on the road this season.  

Tampa Bay has been quite inconsistent with their bats on the season. As a team the Rays have a batting average of .232 (24th), on base percentage of .296 (26th), slugging percentage of .374 (25th), and have scored 256 runs (23rd). Right fielder Manuel Margot is having a productive season with a batting average of .311 (50-161), three home runs, and 23 RBIs. The first baseman Ji-Man Choi is also hitting the ball well with a batting average of .283 (39-138), five home runs, and 31 RBIs.  

The Rays bullpen is the main reason for their success this season. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .225 (5th), have a WHIP of 1.13 (3rd), and have an ERA of 3.19 (4th). Right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen was scheduled to start Thursday, but was placed on the injured list Wednesday (hamstring) so no starter has been announced yet as of Wednesday night. 

New York Yankees Betting Analysis

After winning 12 of their last 13 games the Yankees are now 45-16 SU, 33-28 ATS, and have an O/U record of 26-33-2. The total has gone under in five of New York’s last six games against the Rays. Following this trend, the total has gone under in five of their last six when playing an opponent from the AL East. The Yankees are 10-0 SU in their last 10 home games and 27-7 SU at home this season.  

The Yankees offense has been a nightmare for opposing pitchers. As a team New York has a batting average of .248 (11th), on base percentage of .326 (4th), slugging percentage of .438 (2nd), and have scored 313 runs (2nd). Right fielder Aaron Judge is having an excellent season with a batting average of .313 (71-227), 24 home runs, and 48 RBIs. The second baseman DJ LeMahieu is also playing well with a batting average of .262 (50-191), five home runs, and 26 RBIs.  

New York’s bullpen has been one of the best in the league this season. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .214 (1st), have a WHIP of 1.06 (1st), and have an ERA of 2.79 (1st). The right-hander Luis Severino is expected to take the mound Thursday. Severino is 4-1 in 11 games this season with an ERA of 2.80 and has given up 48 hits, 19 earned runs, and struck out 71 batters in 61.0 innings. In his one outing against Tampa Bay this season, Severino struck out eight batters in 6.1 innings while giving up two hits and four runs. 

Key Players to Watch

• TMB: Randy Arozarena - OF (Last Game: 0-2, R, BB)
• TMB: Manuel Margot - OF (Last Game: 2-3, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB)
• NYY: Aaron Judge - OF (Last Game: 1-3, 2B, RBI)
• NYY: Giancarlo Stanton - OF (last Game: 0-3)

Probable Pitchers

• TMB: Jalen Beeks - LHP (1-1, 1.38 ERA, 32 K, 1.00 WHIP)
• NYY: Luis Severino - RHP (4-1, 2.80 ERA, 71 K, 1.03 WHIP)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Betting Conclusion

I like the Yankees to win game-three on Thursday. The Rays offense has no answer to New York’s bullpen and should struggle again going against Severino. Tampa Bay may be in trouble on the mound as well with Rasmussen being put on the injured list on such short notice. Backing the Yankees moneyline is expensive so go with a cheap run total which typically goes Under in Yankee Stadium.