The New York Yankees (18-16) and Tampa Bay Rays (27-7) wrap up a 3-game series in Tampa Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Tropicana Field is slated for 1:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankee vs Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
New York won 3-2 Saturday as a +160 underdog, ending Tampa Bay’s 4-game win streak. The Rays scored 2 in the 1st, but the Yankees scored 3 in the top of the 8th, capped by a go-ahead, 2-run single by pinch-hitter Harrison Bader. Despite never scoring more than 4 runs in a game, the Yankees have won 3 of their last 4.
The Rays are 8-2 in series finales this season. They have the best record in the majors and lead the AL East by 4½ games over the 2nd-place Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees are last in the division, 9 games back.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Yankees at Rays projected starters
RHP Gerrit Cole vs. LHP Josh Fleming-*
Cole (5-0, 1.35 ERA) is making his 8th start of the season. He owns a 0.90 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 in 46 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 8 K in 4-2 Yankees home victory vs. Cleveland Guardians Tuesday
- Last start vs Rays: Loss, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 4-0 home defeat Aug. 15, 2022
- Career vs. Rays (regular season): 2-7, 3.52 ERA (92 IP, 36 ER), 1.08 WHIP in 15 starts
*-Fleming (0-0, 3.18) is expected to carry the bulk of the work either as a starter or following an “opener.” He has a 1.32 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 5.6 K/9 in 22 2/3 innings across 6 appearances, which includes 1 start.
- Last outing: No-decision, 3 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 K of 4-1 Rays home victory vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday
- Career vs. Yankees: 0-1, 3.00 ERA (6 IP, 2 ER), 5 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 K in 3 relief appearances — all in 2021
Yankees at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Yankees -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Rays +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (+150) | Rays +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Yankees at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 4, Rays 2
Moneyline
BET YANKEES (-120).
The Yankees send their ace Cole to close out the series against their division rivals. Despite his career record against the Rays, Cole is 2-0 on the road this season. Betting the Yankees, we’ll be backing the far superior starter without having to pay an arm and a leg for it.
Run line/Against the spread
NEW YORK -1.5 (+150) is my lean, but I wouldn’t bet it heavy. Since we’ll already be invested on the Yankees moneyline, my suggestion is to bet no more than a combined 1.5 units between this play and the ML play.
New York has not lost a game that Cole has started this season. Of those 7 wins, the Yankees have won 6 by 2 or more runs.
The Yankees win Sunday, but can’t say for sure if they’ll cover the run line.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
BET UNDER 7.5 (-120).
The Yankees have been Under this total in 10 of their last 15 road games. Games started by Cole this season have been Under this run total in 6 of his 7 starts.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]