In this article, we will formulate a Yankees vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, July 31, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (54-55, 23-27 Away) beat the Baltimore Orioles, lost to the Chicago White Sox, and were swept by the Cincinnati Reds to open the second half of the season. The Rays got a 4-2 win in Game 1 of the current series against the Yankees but lost the next two, including last night’s 5-4 in extra innings. Tampa scored two runs in the 9th inning to force extra innings, but fell short in the 11th. Josh Lowe led the offense with two RBI, while Zack Littell pitched for 5.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing no runs on two hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Kevin Kelly took the loss.
This season, the Rays average 4.60 runs per game (10th in the MLB) on a .255/.320/.402 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.87 ERA (12th) and 1.21 WHIP (4th). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .254 batting average, 27 home runs, and 70 RBI this season.
Ryan Pepiot will take the mound for the Rays on Thursday. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 6-8 record in 22 starts this year with a 3.42 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 126.1 innings.
New York Yankees Betting Preview
The New York Yankees (59-49, 33-22 Home) defeated the Atlanta Braves and then lost to the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies in the second half. Following a 4-2 loss to the Rays in Game 1, the Yanks answered with a 7-5 and 5-4 victories. In Wednesday’s extra-inning W, Ryan McMahon drove in the winning run in the 11th. Will Warren pitched for 6.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk, while Tim Hill was credited with the win.
This year, the Yankees average 5.16 runs per game (3rd in the MLB) on a .252/.331/.451 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Yankees’ staff has a 3.99 ERA (17th) and 1.25 WHIP (11th). Aaron Judge leads the Yankees with a .342 batting average, 37 home runs, and 85 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Yankees is Marcus Stroman, who is 2-2 in eight starts this season, with a 6.09 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 34.0 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last five road games following an extra innings loss have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Yankees’ last five day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Yankees’ last four day games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last five Thursday day games against AL East opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Yankees rank 1st in the league for walks this season (410).
- The Yankees rank 2nd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.332).
- The Rays are one of only five teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
- The Rays rank 5th in the league for walks allowed this season (312).
Yankees vs Rays Prediction
The Yankees won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, all of which were played this season. Although I am leaning toward the Yankees to clinch this series with the third consecutive victory, I am going with Over instead. Ryan Pepiot faced the Yanks twice this year and posted a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings. Marcus Stroman, on the other hand, will take on the Rays for the first time this season. He allowed multiple runs in three of his four starts in July, and I am sure the Rays will score at least two runs off of him early on. I expect 5+ combined runs in the opening five innings. Go with Over.