Yankees vs. Rays Pick
Will the host Tampa Bay Rays take down the New York Yankees as a small favorite Wednesday afternoon? First pitch is at 7:05PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rays are set as a -120 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Yankees are a +100 underdog and the over-under is 8.5.
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On the mound for New York will be Jaime Garcia (5-9, 4.43 ERA), while Tampa Bay turns to Chris Archer (9-9, 4.00). Garcia has a 1.41 WHIP with 112 strikeouts over 144 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs (one earned) on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks in five innings in a 2-1 home loss to Cleveland his last start. Garcia has a 4.52 ERA in 14 road starts. Archer has a 1.24 WHIP with 230 strikeouts in 182 1/3 innings. He was rocked for eight runs (six earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and one walk over three innings in a 9-3 loss at the Red Sox his last time out. Archer holds a 3.30 ERA in 14 home starts.
The Yankees come in at 78-65 and 38-38 on the road, while the Rays are 71-74 and 36-35 at home. New York has won seven of the last 10 meetings and the over-under is 4-5-1.
Tampa Bay evened the series at one game apiece Tuesday with a 2-1 victory. Kevin Kiermaier and Adeiny Hechavarria provided the offense as they each hit a solo home run. Tommy Hunter earned the win in relief and Alex Colome picked up his 44th save. Matt Holliday drove in the lone Yankees run with a double. Sonny Gray took the loss as he allowed two earned run and struck out nine over eight innings.
New York wasted a fantastic Gray start Tuesday evening and now must deal with one of the best strikeout artists in baseball in Archer. While the Rays ace was shelled in his last start, he tends to pitch most of his best games at home. Garcia is hittable, although he is difficult to hit home runs off and Tampa Bay has a lineup that thrives on the over. Even so, Tampa Bay looks to be the play here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY -120