It’s very difficult to preview Tampa Bay Rays games at Mybookie Sportsbook these days because many days their starting pitcher is listed as “undecided.” That’s because Manager Kevin Cash uses an “opener” at times. Well, we do know who is supposed to pitch Thursday at the Yankees and it’s ace Blake Snell. However, the Rays are still MLB Betting underdogs.
It’s Masahiro Tanaka here. Tanaka (9-3, 4.08) picked up the loss Friday against the Rangers, allowing six runs in five innings on six hits (three of them homers) and three walks while striking out just two. Tanaka threw three scoreless innings to start the game before the wheels fell off. He allowed homers to Adrian Beltre and Ronald Guzman in the fourth inning, a two-run double from Elvis Andrus in the fifth and another homer to Guzman to lead off the sixth.
The start was perhaps Tanaka’s worst of the season, tying for the most runs he’s allowed this year since he allowed six to the Red Sox back on April 11. Prior to Friday’s outing, he’d pitched to a 1.78 ERA in six starts since early June.
How to Bet Rays at Yankees MLB Odds & Game Info
Mallex. Second deck.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/KfXXtRo81D
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) 16 de agosto de 2018
- When: Thursday, 1:05 p.m. ET
- Where: Yankee Stadium, New York
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Blake Snell/Masahiro Tanaka
- TV: MLB Network
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: TuneIn
- MLB Odds: Yankees -170, Rays +160 (8)
Why Bet on Tampa Bay?
The Rays have barely gotten a look at new addition and outfielder Tommy Pham yet. Pham began a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with Low-A Hudson Valley. He should only need a couple of rehab games before returning to the Rays’ active roster, possibly sometime this weekend. “He feels really good,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Hopefully a quick turnaround.” Pham, who was acquired from the Cardinals on July 31, suffered a fractured right foot in his second game with Tampa Bay. This is the second series of a 9-game road trip against three AL East teams for Tampa: Toronto (2-1), New York and Boston. It is the Rays’ fifth of six three-city road trips this season. The Rays are 9-22 on the road since May 31 and 2-7-0 in road series since the start of June. The Rays have won 19 times this season without the benefit of a homer, most in the AL and 2nd in the majors (Cubs, 20). The Rays have used 20 different rookies this season, a club record and tied with the Marlins for most in the majors. A total of 12 of the 25 players on the active roster are rookies, including seven of the 13 pitchers and five of 12 hitters. It’s ace lefty Blake Snell (13-5, 2.18) on the mound. Snell was masterful in his most recent start, retiring each of the 15 Blue Jays batters he faced on Friday. But his bid for a perfect game was nipped in the bud because he had still not stretched himself out adequately following a stint on the DL. Snell is 2-4 with a 4.89 ERA (42.1-IP, 23-ER) in 10 starts against the Yankees, his most frequent opponent (Red Sox, 7). Snell has yielded 4 runs or more in each of his last 3 starts against them, compared to 3 runs or fewer in each of his first 7 starts. His longest career start against the Yankees is 5.1 IP, 2x-last July 29, 2017, NYY. Snell is 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA (8.1-IP, 9-ER) in 2 starts against them this season, both at Yankee Stadium—against all other opponents, he is 13-3 with a 1.65 ERA (119.2-IP, 22-ER).Why Bet on NY Yankees?
Aroldis Chapman recorded his 31st save of the season Tuesday vs. the Rays. Tasked with protecting a three-run lead, Chapman gave up a two-out single to Joey Wendle but got Carlos Gomez to line out to end it. He needed just nine pitches in the appearances, throwing seven of them for strikes. Chapman has rebounded with three straight scoreless outings after betting blown up earlier this month in Boston. We should see AL Rookie of the Year candidate Gleyber Torres back in the lineup Thursday after sitting Wednesday. Torres is 4-for-45 (.089) with 16 strikeouts over his last 12 games. The Yanks remain without slugging outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Gary Sanchez. Sanchez could begin playing in minor league rehab games next week. Sanchez did a catching workout and hit in the cage on Monday and he told reporters Tuesday that he no longer feels any pain in his groin. Sanchez should be ready to return to the Yankees’ active roster before the end of August. Judge isn’t close.
It’s Masahiro Tanaka here. Tanaka (9-3, 4.08) picked up the loss Friday against the Rangers, allowing six runs in five innings on six hits (three of them homers) and three walks while striking out just two. Tanaka threw three scoreless innings to start the game before the wheels fell off. He allowed homers to Adrian Beltre and Ronald Guzman in the fourth inning, a two-run double from Elvis Andrus in the fifth and another homer to Guzman to lead off the sixth.
The start was perhaps Tanaka’s worst of the season, tying for the most runs he’s allowed this year since he allowed six to the Red Sox back on April 11. Prior to Friday’s outing, he’d pitched to a 1.78 ERA in six starts since early June.
Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Yankees are 6-0 in Tanaka’s last 6 home starts vs. Rays
- Yankees are 10-2 in Tanaka’s last 12 starts vs. Rays
- Under is 3-1-1 in Snell’s last 5 starts vs. Yankees
- Rays are 0-7 in Snell’s last 7 road starts vs. Yankees
- Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games
- NY is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay
- NY is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of NY Yankees’ last 12 games when playing Tampa Bay
