New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview
Where: Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, Florida
When: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 – 7:10 PM ET
Line: New York Yankees (-118) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (+108) – total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports Sun
Betting on the New York Yankees (0-1)
The Yankees bowed to the Rays in the series’ first match, 7-3, and lost their opening day game for the sixth straight year. Masahiro Tanaka displayed arguably the worst pitching performance in recent memory, as he gave up seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings, earning him an appalling 23.63 ERA.
It was, of course, very uncharacteristic of Tanaka, who won his three previous outings at Tropicana Field and finished 2016 winning his last seven games, while also posting a 2.28 ERA in that stretch.
There should be no worries for now, though. He should be able to regain his rhythm in the upcoming starts.
Following the Japanese is CC Sabathia. He was credited with a win (6-3) in one of his starts versus the Rays last season, where he threw for six good innings and surrendered three earned runs on four hits and three walks, while also striking out seven. Additionally, he permitted three runs or less in 21 of his 30 starts a year ago.
Despite all of that, do know that it’s tough to be too positive for the 17th-year veteran, mainly because he’s coming off an unappealing campaign (9-12, 3.91 ERA). It was a low winning percentage and ERA, but it’s his highest numbers in at least three years.
As for the batting, Starlin Castro, Brett Gardner, Chase Headley, and 2016 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Gary Sanchez will remain as the guys to watch out for. In yesterday’s opener, Castro and Headley combined for six hits and three runs, while Sanchez had an off day and went 0-for-5 in his at-bats.
Further, the Yankees’ batters are collectively 29-for-130 (.223 BA, .263 OBP) opposite Rays’ next probable starting pitcher, Jake Odorizzi.
The Yanks are 8-7 in Sabathia’s last 15 starts on the road.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays (1-0)
After posting an American League-worst 19 losses last year, Chris Archer started 2017 smoothly. He only allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk in seven efficient innings in yesterday’s aforementioned win, highlighted by the last 15 batters he faced only hitting once.
Evan Longoria, as usual, was the main contributor, and was joined by Logan Morrison in doing so. Together, the two were 5-for-8 in their at-bats, with two homers and six RBIs.
They will look to remain as big threats to the visiting Yanks, especially since their current batting group have collectively put up good digits against Sabathia (.340 BA, .419 OBP), as led by Longoria going an impressive 29-for-79 (.405 BA), with seven homers, nine doubles, 16 RBIs, and 13 walks.
Stepping up next to the mound for the Rays is Jake Odorizzi (10-6, 3.39 ERA in 2016). The 27-year-old won two of his three starts versus the Yankees last season and posted an 2.28 ERA – five ERs on 12 hits and two walks, along with striking out 17 hitters across 19.2 innings.
The Rays are 5-2 in Odorrizi’s last seven starts at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Tampa (+108) wins again, 5-3.
Create a betting account now and get in on all the hard-hitting MLB action!
2,311 total views, 1 views today
