MLB Betting: N.Y. Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Series Odds & Predictions

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The New York Yankees are the only team in the American League East with a winning record 11 games into the 60-game 2020 regular season. They have a record of 9-2, four games ahead of both Baltimore and Toronto. The Tampa Bay Rays, whom many saw as a contender for at least a wild card in the American League, are 4 ½ games out with a record of 5-7. However, they are 5-2 at Tropicana Field, where they will host the Yankees for a three-game set this weekend. Looking for pitching matchups? Xbet.ag offers you all baseball betting thoughts for this Series which could shape the road to the MLB Playoffs.

MLB Betting: N.Y. Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays (August 7-9)

Who should you pick in Friday’s game?

Masahiro Tanaka was hit by a line drive early in the preseason summer camp but has recovered. He threw for 2 ⅔ innings on August 1 in a 5-2 win over Boston, permitting one earned run (two overall) on four hits, striking out three and walking one. He was given a light pitching load because of his limited work at summer camp (due to that line drive). Tanaka has had good stuff but has missed time in 2019 and again in summer camp due to injury. It would be hard to see him going more than four or five innings on Friday.

Blake Snell has started two games, lasting a combined five innings. In his first start on July 26 against Toronto, he threw two shutout innings, scattering three hits and getting five of his six outs via the K, walking two. As with many starters in their season debut, Snell had a tight pitch count. In his second start, on July 31, he was lit up a bit by Baltimore, who hit a pair of home runs as part of four hits, scoring three earned runs. He did strike out four batters. So which Snell will show up on Friday?

Final Prediction:
Tampa Bay 6, New York 5 | Check the Odds

Who should you pick in Saturday’s game?

Gerrit Cole has now won 20 consecutive regular-season decisions dating back to early 2019. He has thrown 17 ⅔ innings combined in three starts against Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia. He allowed three earned runs against the Orioles and held the Phillies and the National to a single earned run in each game. He has permitted one home run in each of his games so far, so leaving the fastball up in the zone could be an early problem for this otherwise red-hot pitcher.

Tyler Glasnow has gone 8 ⅔ innings in two starts combined this season, permitting a home run in each outing. He has allowed four hits overall and three earned runs, striking out 14 and walking five. His last start was less impressive than his first, as he got touched up for a pair of earned runs on three hits in a game the Rays would eventually lose in 11 innings to Baltimore, 5-4.

Final Prediction:
New York 4, Tampa Bay 1 | Check the Odds

Who should you pick in Sunday’s game?

James Paxton has been the lone weak link in the Yankees’ rotation to this point. He got shelled in his debut, giving up three runs on five hits in just an inning of work against Washington. He followed that up with three innings of seven-hit, three-run ball, allowing a home run, against Boston on August 2, in a game the Yankees would rally to win, 9-7.

Charlie Morton started with a forgettable game against Toronto, getting knocked around for six runs on seven hits, including a home run, over four innings. His next two starts were much better, as he combined for 10 ⅔ innings of 11-hit, three-run ball with 12 strikeouts against jue one walk against Atlanta and Boston. Can he limit the mighty New York offense?

Final Prediction:
Tampa Bay 5, New York 3 | Check the Odds