The struggling Yankees limp into the Sunshine State today to begin a two game set with American League East leader Tampa Bay. This evening's divisional showdown, which features starters David Price and A.J. Burnett, is scheduled for a 6:40pm ET start at Tropicana Field. MLB Odds have the Rays listed as a -145 moneyline favorite and the Over/Under set at eight.
New York saw its record reach 20-18 last night as it lost its fifth straight game. The 
Yankees, which lost the final two games of their home series with Kansas City prior to welcoming the Red Sox to town, fell victim to a Boston sweep with yesterday's 7-5 loss.
New York was efficient at the plate in the setback, scoring five runs on just six hits, but its hitting woes continued nonetheless. The Yankees' offense has averaged a meager 3.3 runs per game over the last six games, and it is no coincidence that they are a miserable 1-5 during that stretch.
New York will attempt to reverse its recent punchless course tonight against one of the best left handers in the game, David Price. Price has experienced a few unexpected bumps this season, but he still enters this evening's game with a 5-3 record and 3.12 ERA. The Tennessee native, who is 3-1 lifetime against the Yanks, has struck out 47 and walked just nine in 57.2 innings of work this year.
The Rays (23-17), who dropped two out of three to the Orioles over the weekend, will face veteran righty A.J. Burnett this evening as they attempt to increase their lead over New York to three games in the AL East.
Ironically, Burnett's worst performance in his last four starts was the only outing that resulted in a New York win. The 34 year old Arkansas native allowed nine hits and four earned runs over six innings in a 5-4 loss to his former club, Toronto, back on April 30th. Since that appearance, Burnett has yielded a total of four hits and three earned runs in 14 innings of work.
Burnett is 12-7 with a 3.15 ERA in 25 career starts opposite Tampa Bay.
MLB Predictions Betting Trend: Since July of 1998, the Under is 5-1 when the Yankees have played on a Monday following a division game in which they faced a left handed pitcher.
Yankees vs Rays Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
New York Yankees +1.5 (-175), Over 8 (+105), +125 (Moneyline)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+155), Under 8 (-125), -145 (Moneyline)
