MLB Betting Odds and Picks: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The New York Yankees (28-18) and Tampa Bay Rays (24-22) will open up a three-game American League East series Friday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

New York Yankees OF Curtis Granderson has terrible numbers at Tropicana Field

New York dropped its final two games of a three-game series to Baltimore, including a 6-3 setback as -116 road favorites Wednesday night, while pushing up against the betting total of 9. The Yankees will now head to Tropicana Field—a place where they’ve dropped their last nine series, which includes losing two of three games from April 22-24. Offensively, outfielder Curtis Granderson is a .197 career hitter at this ballpark, which happens to be his lowest mark at any AL venue. New York is 10-4 in its last 14 games following a loss.

Yankees starting pitcher David Phelps (2-2, 3.83 ERA) has led the club to victories in four of his last five outings, including a 7-2 home win over the Toronto Blue Jays last time out, as he allowed a single run and six hits over seven frames. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 3.93 ERA in four road appearances (two starts), with opposing hitters batting .235 against him. In four career games (two starts) versus the Rays, Phelps hasn’t earned a decision and has compiled a 0.87 ERA.

Tampa Bay returns home after a successful 4-2 road trip, but suffered a 4-3 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays as -104 underdogs last time out, while going UNDER the total for the third time in four contests. The Rays have blow 28 leads after just 18 at this time lst year, but the bullpen remains confident. “You just have to keep going,” commented Rays reliever Kyle Farnsworth. The team’s relievers own a 4.80 ERA, which is the second-worst mark in all of baseball. Tampa Bay is 9-1 in its last 10 games versus right-handed starters.

Rays starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez (2-4, 5.24 ERA) has led the team to back-to-back wins, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 10-6 road victory over the Baltimore Orioles last time out, as he allowed five runs and eight hits over two innings of work. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA in four home starts, with opposing hitters batting .207 against him. In 11 career games (eight starts) versus the Yankees, Hernandez has tallied a dismal 1-5 record and 7.16 ERA.