The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees tonight, Monday July 18th, as the Yankees try to climb the AL East. New York is 1 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the powerful AL East, and the Yankees lead the Rays by 5 1/2 games for the wild card. MLB oddsmakers have the Rays as -130 moneyline home favorites over the Yankees (+120) with the over/under set at 9 runs. Be sure to get your New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays prediction in now.
New York (55-37, 25-18 V) won two of a four game set in Toronto where they were outscored 19-26. Curtis Granderson had three RBIs and Brett Gardner three hits and three runs in Sunday's 7-2 victory. The Yankees have won three of five against Tampa Bay this season, including two of three at home before the All-Star break. "I think it's important," manager Joe Girardi said. "They're important games, just like the games we had at our ballpark, because we know they're going to be there all year long and we're going to have to battle them. This gives us a chance to do that."
A.J. Burnett (8-7, 4.15 ERA) was 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his first six starts against Tampa Bay, dating back to 2009. He's 0-4 with a 7.83 ERA in his last five outings against the Rays, although the right-hander did not receive a decision July 9 after yielding three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 5-4 victory.
Tampa Bay (50-43, 22-23 H) won one of three games against Boston at home. Girardi's team may have an emotional edge as well as the more rested bullpen after Tampa Bay's 1-0, 16-inning loss to Boston on Sunday night. The Rays managed only three singles, one walk and two hit batsmen in the 5-hour, 44-minute affair. Eight relievers combined to work the final eight innings of the Rays' sixth loss in nine games. "My takeaway is that we can beat the Red Sox and they know it," Maddon said. "My takeaway from the 1-0 loss to the Yankees (last Sunday) is that we can beat the Yankees and they know it. We're not going away. It's just a temporary inconvenience right now." Rays slugger Evan Longoria is 13 for 38 (.342) against Burnett, although he's 3 for 20 against the Yankees this year and 2 for 21 in his last five games overall.
Rookie Alex Cobb (2-0, 3.41) will make his sixth start for Tampa Bay and replace an injured Wade Davis in the rotation. Cobb has been in the minors since his victory June 18 against Florida. The 23-year-old right-hander has never faced the Yankees. Cobb appears to be OK after he was hit in the head by a ball during batting practice this week.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 5-0 in Burnetts last 5 road starts vs. Rays.
Over is 8-1 in Burnetts last 9 starts vs. Rays.
Yankees are 4-1 in Burnetts last 5 road starts vs. Rays.
Yankees are 1-4 in Burnetts last 5 starts vs. Rays.
Rays are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. American League East.
Yankees are 0-9 in Burnetts last 9 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays
When: Monday July 18th@7:10 PM ET
Pick: Rays -130
Point-Spreads recommends you check out MLB Odds before the New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays game.
The Bottom Line: Burnett is a pitcher on his way down. Be sure to get your New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays prediction in now.
