MLB Predictions: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees

The Tampa Bay Rays (60-42) and New York Yankees (54-48) will open up a three-game American League East series Friday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are 10-10 at home with a money line of -100 to -125

Tampa Bay has won 15 of its last 17 games, but had its series finale with the Boston Red Sox washed out by rain Thursday, while the club has gone UNDER the betting total in its last five contests. The Rays have actually compiled a 24-9 record since calling up outfielder Wil Myers, who hit a grand slam in his first go around in the Bronx in his career. Tampa Bay is 7-10 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the UNDER going 11-4-2 in that situation.

Rays starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (9-3, 4.62 ERA) has led the club to six consecutive victories, including a 4-3 road win over the Toronto Blue Jays last time out, as he allowed two runs and five hits over five frames. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 5.10 ERA in nine road games, surrendering eight home runs in 54.2 combined innings. In seven career games (five starts) versus the Yankees, Hellickson has tallied a 3-1 record and 3.19 ERA.

New York returns home after a 3-4 road trip, which concluded with a 2-0 victory over the Texas Rangers as +138 underdogs, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Yankees have acquired Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who has eight home runs in July, which is actually one more than the Bronx Bombers have during the month. New York is 10-10 at home with a money line of -100 to -125, with the UNDER going 10-8-2 in those 20 opportunities.

Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (9-8, 4.37 ERA) has watched the team drop his last three efforts, as he didn’t earn a decision in a 8-7 road defeat to the Boston Red Sox last time out, allowing seven runs and nine hits over five frames. The left-hander is 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 11 home appearances, with opposing hitters batting .269 against him. In 32 career games versus the Rays, Sabathia has tallied a 11-11 record and 3.57 ERA..