The Tampa Bay Rays (66-44) wrap up a 3-game series against the New York Yankees (55-52) on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET (Prime Video). 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: Rays lead 6-3
The Rays secured a 5-2 win over the Yankees Tuesday as 1B Yandy Diaz and OF Randy Arozarena hit home runs. Tampa Bay has won 3 straight games and is 1 1/2 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East.
It was another rough outing for LHP Carlos Rodon on Tuesday, who has now allowed 4 earned runs or more in 3 of his first 5 starts in pinstripes. New York has lost 3 consecutive contests and remains in last place in the division.
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Rays at Yankees projected starters
LHP Shane McClanahan vs. RHP Gerrit Cole
McClanahan (11-1, 3.00 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 through 111 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 4-3 road win vs. Houston Astros Friday
- 2023 road stats: 6-1, 3.34 ERA (59 1/3 IP, 22 ER) in 11 starts
- Career vs. Yankees: 1-3, 3.93 ERA (34 1/3 IP, 15 ER) over 7 starts
Cole (9-2, 2.64 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 through 136 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 1-0 road loss vs. Baltimore Orioles Friday
- 2023 home stats: 6-1, 2.90 ERA (80 2/3 IP, 26 ER) in 13 starts
- Career vs. Rays: 2-7, 3.79 ERA (102 IP, 43 ER) over 17 starts
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 8:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Yankees -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+150) | Yankees +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rays at Yankees picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 5, Rays 4
Moneyline
Even though New York has struggled recently, I’ll back the YANKEES (-105) at home with Cole on the mound. McClanahan has also looked shaky in recent starts and has pitched more than 5 innings in only 1 of his last 5 turns.
Run line/Against the spread
While the Yankees should keep this game competitive, just PASS on the run line in this divisional bout.
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Over/Under
OVER 7.5 (-110) is how I’d wager on the run total despite McClanahan and Cole pitching in this matchup. McClanahan has given up 3 earned runs or more in 3 of his last 5 starts, and Cole has been inconsistent against the Rays in his career.
The Over is also 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these clubs.
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