The New York Yankees (3-4) and Tampa Bay Rays (3-4) play Game 2 of a three-game set Saturday. First pitch at Tropicana Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET (on MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Yankees vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
The Rays snapped a four-game slide with a 10-5 win in Friday’s opener as +124 underdogs. Tampa Bay trailed 4-2 after 2½ innings but scored 3 in the third and 4 more in the fourth with the big blow being 2B Brandon Lowe’s 3-run double for an 8-4 lead.
Yankees RHP Domingo German is expected to start Saturday, looking to end New York’s two-game skid. He lasted only three innings in his first start of 2021, yielding 3 runs on 2 homers in a 3-1 home loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday. He did not pitch last season due to an 81-game suspension for a domestic violence incident.
- 2021 spring training: 1.38 ERA (13 IP, 2 ER), 17 K, 1 BB
- Career vs. Rays: 3-0, 5.73 ERA (22 IP, 14 ER) in 4 starts and 1 relief appearance, including a 2-0 showing in 2019
RHP Chris Archer is projected to take the hill for Tampa Bay. Like German, Archer also had a rough outing to start his season. Pitching two innings of relief, he allowed 4 runs (3 earned) and was the losing pitcher in a 12-7 setback at the Miami Marlins April 3. He missed last season due to surgery to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
- 2021 spring training: 1.35 ERA (6 2/3 IP, 1 ER), 5 K, 1 BB
- Career vs. Yankees: 6-7, 3.14 ERA (117 1/3 IP, 41 ER) in 18 starts
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Yankees at Rays odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Yankees -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Rays +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread/ATS: Yankees -1.5 (+125) | Rays +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Rays 7, Yankees 5
Money line (ML)
Let’s do this again. Just like Friday’s suggestion, TAMPA BAY (+105) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. The Rays dominated the Yankees last season, going 8-2 in the regular season and winning a best-of-5 AL Division Series 3-2. With Friday’s win, the Rays started right where they left off.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
AVOID. Tampa Bay +1.5 (-150) is too chalky. I could see backing the alternate line of Rays -1.5 (+200) for a quarter unit – like we did Friday – but I’m PASSING.
ATS records: Yankees 3-4 | Rays 2-5
Over/Under (O/U)
I’ll bet OVER 8.5 (-110) to win a HALF UNIT (Ex: $55 to win $50) after losing on the Under Friday. This is not a “chase play,” as that’s a terrible sports wagering strategy. Neither starting pitcher is worthy of an Under bet, both offenses are capable of big innings, and the Rays have played all but one game Over this season.
O/U records: Yankees 2-5 | Rays 6-1
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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
| JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD | W-L | SP | ROI |
| 2021 MLB | 7-11 | 2-3 | -3.8125 |
| 2020 MLB | 80-59-1 | 39-21 | +24.79 |
| 2021 record (all sports) | 109-96-1 | 51-44 | +9.2375 |
| *–SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment | |||
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