The Tampa Bay Rays host the NY Yankees tonight, Monday July 27, for game 1 of a three game home stand. Both teams are split 4-4 during this seasons meetings. MLB oddsmakers at Sportsbetting.com have the Yankees as -108 moneyline road favs over the Rays (-102) with the over/under set at 9 runs. Be sure to get your MLB Pick: Yankees vs Rays MLB Odds & Prediction in now at Sportsbetting.com
The Yankees (60-38) just finished a ten game homestand where they went 9-1 sweeping Detroit and Baltimore losing a sole game to Oakland. During their last six game road trip they went 3-3 tying their opponents 38-38. The Yankees are 25-21 on the road where they average 5.50 runs for and 4.59 runs against. The Yankees bring to the mound righty A.J. Burnett (9-4, 3.74 ERA) who is 2-0 in his last two starts with a 3.26 ERA. Burnett rattled off another impressive outing on Wednesday, allowing two runs in seven innings against the Orioles and picking up the win in the Yankees' 6-4 victory. Ever since his disappointing 2 2/3-inning performance in Boston on June 9, he has been nothing short of dominant. The right-hander is 5-1 with a stingy 1.82 ERA in his last six starts. The Yankees are ranked 2 in hitting with a batting average of .275. They are averaging 5.5 runs per game this season with OPS of .828.
The Rays (54-45) are back home after a 10 game road trip where they went 6-4 sweeping only KC. During their last six game homestand they went 4-2, swept Toronto, and outscored their opponents 27-26. The Rays are 30-15 at home where they average 5.67 runs for and 4.33 runs against. The Rays start right hander James Shields (6-6, 3.70 ERA) who has tossed four straight no decisions. Shields threw his 13th quality start in 21 outings this season on Wednesday against the White Sox, he lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks. But he walked his final batter of the game on his 111th pitch in the seventh inning, and the bullpen couldn't hang on. Lifetime against the Yankees, Shields is 1-6 with a 5.73 ERA in eight career starts. The Rays are ranked 9 in hitting with a batting average of .267. They are averaging 5.2 runs per game this season with OPS of .794.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Tampa Bay.
- Rays are 1-7 in Shields' last 8 starts vs. Yankees.
- Yankees are 5-0 in Burnetts last 5 starts.
- Yankees are 4-0 in Burnetts last 4 starts as a road favorite.
- Yankees are 5-0 in Burnetts last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
MLB Pick: Yankees vs Rays
When: Mon, July 27, 2009 7:08 PM ET
Line: Sportsbetting.com
Pick: Yankees -108
Point-Spreads.com MLB Pick: Yankees vs Rays MLB Odds & Prediction
The Bottom Line: The Yankees pitchers trump the Rays and the Yanks are getting the bats they need. Go Yankees! Be sure to get your MLB Pick: Yankees vs Rays MLB Odds & Prediction in now at Sportsbetting.com and receive a 10% deposit bonus on your initial deposit!
