Depending on projections for the AL East, some would consider it a three-team or four-team race for the crown. In those projections, you’ll find the Rays and Yankees near the top of the division. With how critical every inter-divisional game is, the Yankees and Rays cannot afford to lose against one another. For this contest, I focus on the winner straight up.
Free Picks: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays, MLB, Tropicana Field
Are the Rays AL East contenders?
It’s been a mediocre start for both the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees.
A season removed from competing for the World Series crown, the Rays are no longer considered one of the top teams in the MLB. Meanwhile, the Yankees have learned very quickly that it isn’t a one-horse race to the top spot in the AL East.
After opening the season a nice 2-0, the Rays have since dropped 4 straight. That could change with their contest scheduled for Friday against the Yankees however, or that trend could continue.
New York most recently dropped a game to the Baltimore Orioles, falling to .500 (3-3) on the season. The Yankees will try and get over .500 once again on Friday.
For this free MLB prediction, I am focusing on game two of this three-game weekend set.
Domingo German is the projected starter for New York. In one start this season, German lasted only three innings against the Blue Jays. The righty enters this game with 2 strikeouts and a 9.00 ERA.
As for the hometown Rays, Chris Archer will get the nod. Archer had a bad start to the season as well, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) in the process of two innings.
With that being said, Archer has had success against the Yankees in the past. He has held New York to a 3.14 ERA in his career, the third lowest among teams he has faced at least 10 times.
I am not too worried about Friday’s impact for Saturday’s game. Whether we see a ton of runs or few, I still think taking the Yankees on the Moneyline will be your best MLB bet for this game.
Archer has had success against New York, but his last appearance against the Yankees was in 2018. The Yankees have remaining pieces but look vastly different from that last game.
I think the Yankees’ lineup is far superior to the Rays, which makes taking New York straight up an easy decision on BetPicks.
Stats
- German is 2-0 in last 3 starts against Tampa Bay.
- The Yankees rank 4th in road defence
- Archer is 0-1 in last 3 starts against New York.
- Tampa Bay ranks 20th in runs scored.
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