MLB Picks: The Yankees and Rays will engage in a series rubber match this evening at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. New York took game one with a blowout 11-4 victory, but the Rays struck back last night, winning 6-2 behind a superior effort from southpaw Scott Kazmir. MLB Picks at Sportsbetting.com have Tampa Bay listed as a slight -108 moneyline favorite to take the series tonight.
The Yankees lost for just the second time in their last 12 games last night as Rays starter Scott Kazmir held them to just five hits and one earned run over seven innings. Conversely, Tampa Bay jumped all over New York ace C.C. Sabathia, pounding the big lefty for nine hits and five earned runs in 5.2 innings.
Despite the loss, New York maintained their 2.5 game lead over the Red Sox in the American League East, but they did allow the Rays to close to within 6.5. The Yankees are 61-39 on the year and 26-22 in opposing venues.
New York still has six games left in their current road swing after today; they will head to Chicago for a four game set with the White Sox before finishing up the nine game stretch with a two game series in Toronto.
Joba Chamberlain gets the start tonight for the Yanks. The Nebraska native is 6-2 in 19 starts with a 3.86 ERA and is 4-0 in eight road starts with a 3.26 ERA. New York is 5-1 in 23 year old right-hander's last six outings. Chamberlain is 1-0 against the Rays this year, getting a 4-3 win against Tampa on June 6th. He worked six innings in the victory, giving up five hits and three earned runs.
Tampa Bay improved to 55-46 with yesterday's win after getting their 31st win in 47 home games. The Rays are now 5-5 in their last 10 games and 7-5 since the All-Star break.
Joe Maddon's squad begins a four game home series with the Royals after today's contest. They will close out their current home stand on August 4th and 5th against the Red Sox.
Matt Garza, who will take the mound for the Rays this evening, is having another solid season in Tampa Bay. The Fresno State graduate is 7-7 in 20 starts with a 3.68 ERA. In 10 starts at Tropicana Field, Garza is 4-3 with a 3.31 ERA.
The right-handed Garza had one of his best outings of the season in his last start, working nine innings in a 4-2 win at Toronto. He gave up just five hits and two earned runs in the complete game performance.
Garza has made two appearances against the Yankees this season, allowing just nine hits and three earned runs over 12 innings. Despite the solid numbers, the Rays are 0-2 in those games.
Tonight's AL East contest is scheduled to get underway at 7:08pm ET at the Trop in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sportsbetting.com MLB Picks: Yankees vs Rays MLB Betting Odds – July 29, 2009
New York Yankees +1.5 (-210), Over 9 (+100), -102 (Moneyline)
Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+175), Under 9 (-120), -108 (Moneyline)
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