Yankees vs Rays Odds - Why Yankees will stay hot in Tampa Bay

New York is finally living up to its MLB betting predictions, as they’ve stormed to the top of the AL East with nine wins in their last 10 heading into a three-game series against Tampa Bay. The Yankees are favored to take the series, and the Rays won’t be able to cool off red-hot New York, who are finally getting pitching to go with their big bats.

Yankees vs Rays Odds – Yankees’ pitching steps up against Rays

• Streaky Burnett keeps rolling against Shields
  
• Shaky Kazmir won’t last long on Tuesday
  
• Rays hand Chamberlain first road loss of 2009

Monday, July 27, 7:08 PM ET
A.J. Burnett (9-4, 3.74) vs James Shields (6-6, 3.70)

Burnett has won his last four decisions, and he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in his last 11 starts, although he does lead the American League in walks. The 32-year-old righthander took a no-decision in a 4-3 loss against the Rays on May 6th, and he is a solid 8-4 in 18 career starts against Tampa Bay with a 3.01 ERA.

Speaking of no-decisions, Shields has racked up six of them in his last eight starts, although he’s given up more than three runs in only two of those outings. Shields has struggled against the Yankees, going 1-6 in eight starts with a 5.73 ERA. The Yankees have won nine of their last 10 coming into this game, and Shields will get a decision, but not the one he’s looking for as Burnett continues his fine form. The Yankees are a slight underdog in your sports betting book.

MLB betting pick: Yankees

Wednesday, July 29, 7:08 PM ET
Joba Chamberlain (6-2, 3.86) vs Matt Garza (7-7. 3.68)

Chamberlain is working off back-to-back wins for the first time all year, which comes after some fans were calling for him to be sent back to the bullpen. The 23-year-old righthander has made eight appearances against the Rays, but June 7th’s no-decision in a 4-3 win was his first start facing Tampa Bay, so he has a 0-0 mark and a 1.88 ERA.

Garza held his own against Toronto’s Roy Halladay in a 4-2 extra-inning win over Toronto, as he allowed two runs and struck out nine in nine innings of work. More importantly, he didn’t walk a batter for the second time in 19 starts, which is excellent for a pitcher who is fourth in the American League in that category. Garza took a no-decision in that 4-3 loss to Chamberlain and the Yankees on June 7th as he was let down by the bullpen, and he is now 1-2 in seven outings (six starts) against the Yankees although he has a respectable 3.79 ERA. Chamberlain is a perfect 4-0 in eight road starts this year, but he’s allowing the opposition to hit .274 off of him. Look for his luck to run out on Wednesday, and this series won’t be a total loss to Rays fans.

MLB betting pick: Rays

For more MLB betting picks and tips for betting online, including for World Series odds, “Skip” Lalonde has all the bases covered in the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.