The New York Yankees have dominated the Tampa Bay Rays, and they’ll seek their fifth win in six tries when they host the Rays in Game 2 of their three-game series.
Tampa Bay righty Zack Littell struggles against lefties, and my Rays vs. Yankees predictions expect NY slugger Ben Rice to have a good afternoon at the dish.
Rays vs Yankees prediction
My Rays vs Yankees best bet: Ben Rice Over 1.5 total bases (+120 at DraftKings)
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice is enjoying a fine season at the dish. Over 98 at-bats, the second-year slugger in pinstripes is batting .265 with eight bombs and 13 RBI. His .950 OPS is solid as Sears, and he’s hit safely in five of his last nine games.
While those numbers are solid, his splits against righties are eye-popping. Rice is slashing .323/.445/.692 with a 1.135 OPS, and his .357 BABIP suggests the second-year slugger has been unlucky.
Tampa Bay Rays righty Zack Littell has been struggling, but his main problem is getting outs against lefty bats.
Left-handed lumber is tuning up Littell for a .315/.373/.574 with a .947 OPS across 54 at-bats, and his .327 BABIP and 5.12 xFIP against lefties suggest Rice and the rest of the NY lefties could have a big day.
Yankees slugger has at least one hit and two home runs in four of his last nine. While I don’t mind Rice's HR prop (+310 at DraftKings), my best bet is that he records 2+ total bases today.
Rays vs Yankees same-game parlay (SGP)
Ben Rice 2+ total bases
Trent Grisham 2+ total bases
Yankees moneyline
I like the Yankees' lefty lumber against Littell today. Besides Rice, Trent Grisham could also be in line for a good day at the dish, and that should lead to a Yankees win.
Grisham and his hot bat slashes .289/.333/.711 with a 1.044 slash line against right-handed arms across 45 plate appearances. He also has a double in seven at-bats against Littell.
The Yankees are huge favorites for a reason. They’ve won four of six against Tampa Bay, and they should give starter Clarke Schmidt all the offensive support he’ll need.
Schmidt has been solid at Yankee Stadium. The righty has allowed four earned runs across 10 1/3 frames on the bump, and his .143 BABIP at home should fare well enough to slow the Rays and win this game.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rays vs Yankees odds
Rays vs Yankees live odds
Rays vs Yankees opening odds
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay +146 | New York -174
- Run line: Tampa Bay +1.5 (-132) | New York -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: Over 9.5 | Under 9.5
Rays vs Yankees trend
The Yankees have covered the run line in 10 of their last 16 games at home (+6.25 units / 37% ROI).. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Yankees.
How to watch Rays vs Yankees and game info
| Location | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY |
| Date | Saturday, 5-3-2025 |
| First pitch | 1:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN Sun, YES |
| Rays starting pitcher | Zack Littell (1-5, 5.03 ERA) |
| Yankees starting pitcher | Clarke Schmidt (0-1, 5.52 ERA) |
Rays vs Yankees latest injuries
Rays vs Yankees weather
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