The NY Yankees play host to the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday June 8, for the third game of their three game series. Tampa Bay has won three of their last four meetings against the Yankees. MLB oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Yankees as -160 moneyline favs over the Rays (+148) with the over/under listed at 11 runs. Be sure to get your NY Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Rays (29-29) have won six of their last ten games, but recently ended a four game win streak losing 3-4 to the Yankees. Pitching for the Rays will be Andy Sonnanstine (4-5, 7.07) who’s won three of his last four starts. On May 6, Sonnanstine kept the ball inside the park in New York. The Yankees failed to go deep against Sonnanstine in a 4-3 loss in 10 innings, their only home game without a homer this season. The right-hander, 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA in six career starts against New York, allowed two runs over 7 1-3 innings in that game and also yielded two runs to the Yankees over five innings April 15 in Tampa Bay. The Rays hit eight homers in their first three games at Yankee Stadium, the Rays snapped a 12-game streak with a home run Sunday. The Rays are 13-18 on the road where they’ve averaged 5.45 RPG and given up an average 4.77 PRG. Evan Longoria, 55 RBI’s, didn’t play last game, but pinched hit is listed as questionable tonight.
The Yankees (33-23) have won seven of their last ten games and look to win back to back since June 1-2. Pitching for the Yanks tonight will be Andy Pettitte (5-2, 4.33 ERA), who has one win at their new home in five starts. Pettitte helped close out the team's 85-year-old former home Sept. 21 against Baltimore, earning the victory by allowing two earned runs over five innings in a 7-3 win. Since recording a win in his first game at the new Yankee Stadium on April 21, a 5-3 victory over Oakland, the 15-year veteran has a 6.53 ERA in his last five home starts, allowing at least four runs in each. His last start was a 2-4 loss to visiting Texas as he issued a season-high six walks and yielded four runs over five innings. The Yankees are 17-11 at home where they’ve averaged 5.79 RPG and given up an average 5.75 RPG.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 6-1 in Pettittes last 7 starts vs. Rays.
- Under is 8-3 in Pettittes last 11 home starts vs. Rays.
- Yankees are 15-6 in Pettittes last 21 starts vs. Rays.
- Over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
- Rays are 24-54 in the last 78 meetings in New York.
- Rays are 4-0 in Sonnanstines last 4 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150.
- Rays are 4-1 in Sonnanstines last 5 starts as a road underdog.
NY Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction
When: Mon, June 8, 2009 7:05 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Rays +148
Point-Spreads.com NY Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction
The Bottom Line: Pettitte is unreliable at their new home, while the Rays know how to handle the Yanks. Go Rays! Be sure to get your NY Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
