MLB Betting - Rays will battle hard to earn split in New York
Tampa Bay has been an MLB betting disappointment so far after surprising everyone to reach the World Series in 2008, but they’re gaining steam despite some injuries, and they’ll carry a three-game winning streak into New York against the Yankees on Friday. If you’re sports wagering this weekend, the Yankees are favored at -250 by MLB lines in their home-run haven, but the Rays will put up a fight to snatch a split with their American League East rivals.
MLB Betting: Yankees vs Rays odds point towards New York superiority
- Tampa Bay fighting back to World Series form
- Price vs Sabathia a hot ticket to watch
- Expect a more evenly-split series than predicted by odds makers
Friday, June 5, 7:05 PM ET
David Price (1-0, 3.00) vs C.C. Sabathia (5-3, 3.46)
In what could be the premier pitching matchup of the entire weekend, Price, who is regarded as the best young prospect in the game, takes on the pitcher he is most compared to, Sabathia. Price struck out 11 in just over five innings of a 5-2 win over Minnesota, but he’s running into a buzzsaw in Sabathia, who has won four of his last five starts and owns the Rays with a 7-1 mark in 11 career starts. However, he has never faced the new and improved Rays, who could be without Evan Longoria (hamstring). Price made his first big-league appearance in New York and pitched very well, so he’ll be up for the challenge. It’ll be a long night for the hitters and the bettors at the sportsbook.
MLB betting pick: Yankees
Saturday, June 6, 1:05 PM ET
Matt Garza (4-4, 3.67) vs Joba Chamberlain (3-1, 3.71)
This will be fun to watch, as both pitchers are very emotional on the mound. Garza is 1-2 in six games (five starts) against the Yankees with a 4.11 ERA, including a no-decision in his first outing of the year, a 7-2 loss at home. Chamberlain has never made a start against the Rays, but in 8.1 relief innings, he’s never allowed a run against Tampa Bay. However, Chamberlain has struggled at home this year with a 0-1 mark in four starts with a 5.82 ERA, and Garza has been pitching well, but the offense hasn’t given him much support. That changes Saturday.
MLB betting pick: Rays
Sunday, June 7, 1:05 PM ET
Andy Sonnanstine (4-5, 7.07) vs A.J. Burnett (4-2, 4.69)
Sonnanstine has struggled mightily on the road with a 1-5 record in seven starts away from home with a 9.50 ERA, but he’s done well against the Yankees, racking up a pair of no-decisions with a 2.92 ERA. Burnett was suspended for six games for throwing a pitch at Texas’ Nelson Cruz, but he’s appealing, meaning he can still pitch. Burnett is 8-4 in 18 starts against the Rays with a 3.01 ERA, including a 1-0 mark in two starts this season. He’s the type of pitcher who uses his emotion on the mound, whether it be good or bad for Yankees vs Rays odds, and Burnett will harness that on Sunday for a win.
MLB betting pick: Yankees
Monday, June 8, 7:05 PM ET
Jeff Niemann (5-4, 3.77) vs Andy Pettitte (5-2, 4.33)
Niemann has done surprisingly well in the Tampa Bay rotation, and he’s coming off a complete-game two-hit shutout against Kansas City. He didn’t last long against the Yankees in their first meeting, scattering a pair of runs on three hits with four walks. There are still concerns about Pettitte’s back, and he has a 5.79 ERA at home. He also has a 5.40 ERA in two no-decisions against the Rays this year, and Pettitte has walked 11 batters in his last two starts, which is rare for a pitcher of his control.
MLB betting pick: Rays
For more sports betting lines, visit the sportsbook 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. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
