Yankees vs. Rays Prediction
The Tampa Bay Rays will have a chance to trim their 6.5-game deficit in the AL East standings as they host the first-place New York Yankees in a four-game series starting this evening. Can Tampa Bay notch a win today to start the series in positive fashion?
Game Snapshot
917 New York Yankees at 918 Tampa Bay Rays
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Tropicana Field at 5:10PM ET
TV: Fox Sports Sun
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Yankees are a -113 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rays are a +103 underdog, while the total sits at 9 runs. As of Thursday morning, 61 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting New York. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Yankees ease to win
New York secured a 5-1 victory Wednesday at the crosstown rival Mets to get a split in the quick two-game series. Domingo German returned from the IL to notch the win as he allowed one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks over six innings. Didi Gregorius helped lead the offense as he finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Gio Urshela went 2-for-3 with a solo homer plus a walk. D.J. LeMahieu ended the contes 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs. J.A. Happ draws the start today for the Yankees as he enters with a 7-4 record, 5.23 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 66 strikeouts over 84 1/3 innings.
Brutal ninth sends Rays to loss
Tampa Bay could not get out of its own way Wednesday night as it allowed six runs in the top of the ninth at home versus Baltimore to break a 3-3 tie, while the hosts could not rally all the way back in what ended as a 9-6 defeat. Michael Brosseau helped lead the Rays offense as he ended the day 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Guillermo Heredia finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Joey Wendle went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. JTose Alvarado took the loss in relief as he surrendered six runs (five earned) on four hits with no strikeouts and one walk over two-thirds of an inning. Yonny Chrinos starts tonight for the Rays as he enters with a 7-4 record, 3.10 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 93 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
New York
The Yankees are 5-1 in their last six road games. New York is 6-1 in the last seven Happ road starts.
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 4-1 in their last five home games. Tampa Bay is 0-4 in the last four Chirinos starts.
Prediction:
Tampa Bay coupled poor pitching with poor defense in a horrendous ninth inning yesterday, but should be refocused here as they start a series with the powerful Yankees. Happ struggles with giving up home runs, but gets a ballpark boost here as it’s a lot harder to get them out of Tropicana Field than Yankee Stadium. Chirinos has been a solid starting pitcher the last couple months for the Rays and I think he gives the host another strong start here. While there are arguments for both teams, I think the Rays get it done here as they have a ton of motivation to get back in the AL East race.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS +103