New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

The New York Yankees (62-66) are set to play the 2nd game of a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (78-52) on Saturday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankees vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 6-5

The Yankees secured a 6-2 victory over the Rays Friday, with 1B DJ LeMahieu hitting 2 home runs in the contest. New York has won only 2 of its last 10 games and remains in sole possession of last place in the AL East.

Friday’s loss against the Yankees snapped a 4-game winning streak for the Rays. Tampa Bay is 7-3 in its last 10 contests and is 3 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the division.

Yankees at Rays projected starters

RHP Clarke Schmidt vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow

Schmidt (8-7, 4.68 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 123 IP.

• Last start: No decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K in a 6-5 home loss to the Boston Red Sox on August 20.
• Road stats: 5-2. 5.75 ERA (51 2/3 IP, 33 ER) in 11 starts.
• Career vs. Rays: 1-2, 5.40 ERA (16 2/3 IP, 10 ER) in 3 starts and 4 relief appearances.

Glasnow (6-4, 3.35 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 12.3 K/9 through 80 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 7 K in a 7-6 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels on August 19.
• Home stats: 2-2, 3.43 ERA (39 1/3 IP, 15 ER) in 7 starts.
• Career vs. Yankees: 3-2, 3.12 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 15 ER) in 8 starts.

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Yankees at Rays odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.

Yankees at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 5, Yankees 3

Following Friday’s loss at home, the Rays have a solid chance to bounce back with Glasnow on the mound. That being said, just AVOID the money line in this game as taking Tampa Bay at -185 odds isn’t worth the risk.

RAYS -1.5 (+115) has some value with Tampa Bay having a massive advantage in the pitching matchup. The Yankees have lost by a combined score of 17-8 in Schmidt’s last 2 starts.

OVER 7.5 (+100) is the lean in this divisional bout despite Glasnow pitching for the Rays. The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings overall, which includes 2 starts by Glasnow that achieved the Over.

Also, the Yankees are 6-4 to the Over in their last 10 games, and the Rays are 8-2 to the Over in their last 10.