Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees odds, picks and predictions
The Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) and New York Yankees (14-6) meet Saturday for the 2nd game of a 3-game series. First pitch from Yankee Stadium is set for 1:05 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Rays vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: New York leads 1-0
New York picked up a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay in Friday's series opener while cashing as a -180 home favorite. The Yankees have now scored at least 5 runs in each of their last 3 wins.
Tampa Bay struck first and held a 1-0 lead until the Yankees scored 5 runs in the 7th, capped off by a 3-run HR from RF Juan Soto. The Rays had 14 hits to New York's 5 and 18 total bases to New York's 8 in the loss.
Rays at Yankees projected starters
RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Nestor Cortes
Eflin (1-2, 4.63 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 0.8 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 23 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 7-3 loss vs. Los Angeles Angels Monday
- Career vs. Yankees: 3-1, 1.86 ERA (29 IP, 6 ER), 25 H, 5 BB, 36 K in 5 starts
Cortes (1-1, 4.50 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 22 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 8-7 loss vs. Cleveland Guardians Sunday
- Career vs. Tampa Bay: 2-3, 4.50 ERA (50 IP, 25 ER), 43 H, 13 BB, 41 K across 7 starts and 5 relief appearances
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Rays at Yankees odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Yankees -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-175) | Yankees -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rays at Yankees picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 4, Rays 1
Moneyline
LEAN YANKEES (-140).
New York has won back-to-back games and is 3-1 in its last 4 at home. The Yankees are also 3-2 in their last 5 matchups vs. the Rays and 2-0 in the last 2 meetings in New York.
This is only a lean because neither team is hotter than the other, as both are 6-4 in their last 10 games. They've also split the last 10 meetings 5-5.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I like New York to cover here as a -1.5 (+145) favorite, as the Yankees are 11-9 ATS this season, while the Rays are only 7-14. However, I like New York's odds better on the moneyline. Bet the moneyline and/or total instead.
I am not a fan of doubling down on the ML and run line for a team, but if you want to place a small wager here on New York, then that's fine.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8 (-110).
The Under has hit in back-to-back games for the Rays and is 2-1 in their last 3 at home.
For New York, the Under has hit in each of its last 4 home games and is 12-7-1 this season.
The Under has also hit in 2 of the last 3 Tampa Bay-New York matchups overall and is 3-1 in the last 4 meetings in New York. Be aware that the Under is only 4-6 in Tampa's last 10 overall and in the last 10 matchups between these squads.
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