Yankees vs. Rays Game 1 Prediction
American League East rivals will open a new series at Petco Park in San Diego when the Yankees and Rays meet in Game 1 of the AL Divisional Round of the MLB postseason at 8:07 p.m. ET. Will Gerrit Cole continue his mastery of the postseason and lead the Yankees to another playoff win?
Game Snapshot
903 Houston Astros (+132) at 904 Oakland A’s (-142); o/u 8
901 New York Yankees (-149) vs. 902 Tampa Bay Rays (+130); o/u 7
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
TV: TBS
New York Yankees DFS Spin
Gerrit Cole said Sunday that coming back on short rest to start a potential Game 5 of the ALDS would be a “manageable adjustment.” Cole will get the ball in Game 1 against the Rays on Monday and could theoretically start Game 5 on Friday on three days’ rest. Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn’t indicated one way or another if that’s the move he’d make — there’s really no reason for him to — but it would make sense in a do-or-die situation. Cole has never made a start on short rest in his career in the regular or postseason.
Tampa Bay Rays DFS Spin
Austin Meadows (oblique) participated in baserunning drills on Sunday. Meadows is working his way back from the oblique injury that has kept him out since September 18, and has been able to participate in workouts since the Rays swept the Blue Jays in the Wild Card Series. Kevin Cash told reporters on Sunday he was encouraged with Cash’s progress, and hoped to have him swing the bat before Monday’s opener in the ALDS against the Yankees. How that goes will likely determine whether or not Meadows makes the roster for the series.
Yankees vs. Rays Game 1 Betting Prediction
The Yankees have had their fair share of issues with the Rays, losing seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams. The Rays are also 10-2 in their last 12 games as an underdog, are 4-1 in their last five postseason games and have won eight of their last nine games following at least one off day. They’re also 23-8 in their last 31 games during the first game of a series and are 5-0 in their last five games versus a starter with a WHIP of less than 1.15.
MLB POSTSEASON BETTING PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS +130