Yankees vs Rays Prediction 5/23/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Yankees vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 23rd at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

New York Yankees Betting Preview

The New York Yankees are 30-22 this season after they lost game one by a score of 4-2 last night. New York led 1-0 in the fifth inning, but they allowed four runs in the eighth for the loss. The Yankees recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Wells, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI. Cole allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Hill allowed three earned runs for the loss. Prior to this series, New York split four games with the Blue Jays and lost two out of three against the Mets. 

This season, New York has a 3.30 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and a .223 opponent batting average, while they have scored 252 runs with a .234 batting average and a .328 on base percentage. Aaron Judge has led the Yankees with 16 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Ben Rice has added 16 home runs and 33 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Ryan Weathers, who is 2-2 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 50.1 innings pitched this season. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 34-15 this year after they won game one by a score of 4-2 on Friday night. Tampa Bay did all of their damage in the eighth inning and they were able to hang on for the win. The Rays recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Palacios, who went 1-3 with two RBIs. Martinez allowed nine hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Seymour got the win and Baker picked up the save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay swept the Orioles in three games and won two out of three against the Marlins. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.54 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .227 opponent batting average, while they have scored 236 runs with a .261 batting average and a .335 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with eight home runs and 38 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz has added eight home runs and 33 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Drew Rasmussen, who is 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 48.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the New York Yankees will win

• The Rays have lost six of their last seven road games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Yankees have won 12 of their last 15 day games against American League opponents following a home loss.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games against AL East opponents following a road win.
• The Yankees have covered the run line in each of their last three day games following a loss.
• The Yankees have won the first inning in each of their last three day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven road games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Yankees have led after 3 innings in each of their last six Saturday day games as favorites.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won each of their last 10 Saturday games as underdogs against the Yankees.
• The Yankees have lost each of their last four games as favorites against the Rays following a loss.
• The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last 10 Saturday games as underdogs against the Yankees.
• The Yankees have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites after playing the previous day.
• The Rays have led after 5 innings in four of their last five day games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Rays’ last seven day games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Yankees’ last six day games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six Saturday games against American League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the last six day games between the Rays and Yankees.

New York Yankees Player Prop Facts

• Anthony Volpe has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with the Yankees as home favorites against the Rays.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in 17 of his last 18 home appearances.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Drew Rasmussen has recorded a win in each of his three previous road appearances against the Yankees.
• Drew Rasmussen has recorded six or more strikeouts in six of his last seven appearances against the Yankees.
• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances after playing the previous day.
• Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in 20 of his last 21 appearances in day games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Yankees rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (74).
• The Yankees rank 2nd in the league for walks this season (231).
• The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (349).
• The Rays rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.261).

Yankees vs Rays Prediction 

Tampa Bay was able to stay red hot with another win on Friday night and they have scored 35 runs in their last five games. The Rays are 15-10 on the road this year, while the Yankees are 16-9 at home. New York has lost three in a row and they have scored just three runs in those three games. The Yankees are starting Weathers, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, while Rasmussen has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight. I know Tampa Bay is rolling, but Rasmussen hasn’t been great over the last three starts. Take the Yankees here.