The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays play the middle contest of a 3-game on Saturday.
The Rays picked up the 5-4 win in Friday’s series opener at The Trop, and it was anything but easy. Tampa Bay blew a 4-0 lead, but came back to win it in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Rays streak into this one with the best record in the majors at 27-6, while posting victories in six of the previous eight inside the American League East Division.
Will the Yankees be able to cool off the Rays, keeping them within their sights in the AL East, or will the white-hot Rays continue to build on an already impressive double-digit games lead over the Bronx Bombers? We’ll discuss in our MLB picks and predictions for Yankees vs. Rays on Saturday, May 6.
Yankees vs Rays odds
Yankees vs Rays predictions
The Yankees turn to right-handed Domingo German for the start, his seventh appearance of the season. He was tremendous last time out against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing just a single earned run, two hits, and one walk with six strikeouts in a no-decision in the 3-2 setback Monday.
He hasn’t fared as well on the road this season, as German has a 1-0 record, but a dismal 7.00 ERA in his pair of starts away from home. German went 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA and .234 opponent batting average with eight punchouts across 12 1/3 innings across three starts against the Rays last season, too.
The Rays will counter with right-handed starter Drew Rasmussen. He was just so-so last time out against the Chicago White Sox on the road, allowing three runs and nine hits across five innings in a no-decision Sunday.
He has been cooking at home, however, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA, while holding opponents to a .222 batting average in his pair of starts across 11 2/3 IP in St. Pete.
Rasmussen faced the Bronx Bombers just once last season, and he held them scoreless across six frames while posting 10 strikeouts in a 4-2 win in New York on September 9, 2022.
The Yankees have managed to win just once in the past seven on the road against a right-hander, and Rasmussen handled them well last season. Without Aaron Judge, the Yankees have struggled to put up consistent offensive numbers, and they won’t be able to cool off the Rays in their own building.
However, look to the Rays on the run line, rather than spending nearly two times your potential return on the moneyline.
My best bet: Rays -1.5, (+120 at BetRivers)
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Yankees vs Rays moneyline analysis
The Yankees suffered the 5-4 loss in the series opener Friday, and they’re now 0-4 in the past four games on the road, while going 1-5 in the past six away from home against a right-handed starting pitcher.
In addition, the Bronx Bombers have managed to go just 3-7 in the past 10 against righties, while dropping four in a row against teams with a winning overall record.
For the Rays, everything has been coming up roses all season. They’re 4-0 in the past four against winning teams, while cashing at a 6-2 clip in the past eight division games.
Also, Tampa Bay has won 27 of the first 33 games overall to start this season, while going an amazing 21-5 in the past 26 games against a right-handed starting pitcher. They’re also 44-15 in the past 59 games at home dating back to last season, an outstanding .746 winning percentage.
The money line is a bit on the expensive side, and more than I choose to risk on a singular wager. However, playing the run line isn’t a bad idea. While Tampa’s past two wins have been by a single run each, in seven wins in a 10-game span between April 23 and May 3, the Rays won by three or more runs. So, if you like Tampa to win, you should like it on the run line, too.
Yankees vs Rays Over/Under analysis
The Over and Under has alternated in each of the past five games for the Rays, cashing the Over on Friday.
The Yankees have had some issue plating runs lately, totaling just 22 runs in the past eight outings, or 2.75 runs per game. No. 99 cannot get healthy and back into the lineup fast enough for a New York offense really missing Judge.
New York has scored four or fewer runs in eight in a row, and 13 of the past 14 games overall.
Tampa Bay has cashed the Over at a 5-1-1 clip in the past seven games inside the division, but the Under is 10-4-1 in the past 15 against winning teams, and 4-1 in the past five at home vs. RHP.
Yankees vs Rays game info
| Location: | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL |
| Date: | Saturday, May 6, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 4:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | YES, BSSUN |
Yankees vs Rays betting preview
Starting pitchers
Domingo German (2-2, 4.46 ERA): The righty went a season-high 8 1-3 innings last time out against Cleveland in a no-decision. New York is 2-2 in his past four outings, and it won his last time out on the road in Minnesota on April 26. He’s struck out six or more batters in four straight starts, and five of his outings overall.
Drew Rasmussen (3-2, 3.66 ERA): The Washington state native has allowed three or more runs in three of his past four outings. He’s been good about keeping the ball in the yard, allowing just two home runs across 32 innings in his six starts. He hasn’t had a quality start in his past four outings dating back to April 9.
Latest injuries
Trend to know
Rays are 21-5 in their last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Rays
