Game: Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees
Time: 7:05 p.m.
Odds: Rays -104, Yankees -106
Total: 8.5
The Tampa Bay Rays played like the team that won their first 13 games of the 2023 season in their final game of July. The Rays are looking for their third straight victory tonight when they travel to the struggling New York Yankees in the second game of a three-game series. They are coming off a pair of relatively stress-free victories.
The Rays opened their third series against the Yankees by hitting four home runs in Monday’s 5-1 victory, capping off their series against the Houston Astros with an 8-2 victory. Before Isaac Paredes and Josh Lowe hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth, Brandon Lowe hit a two-run shot and Wander Franco also hit a long ball.
The Yankees are still appearing to be the team that struggled greatly at times during the majority of Aaron Judge’s 42-game absence due to a fractured ligament in his right toe, while the Rays may be starting to heat up. On Monday, Judge drew three walks while the Yankees managed just three hits. Additionally, New York struck out 12 times following an evening in which they struck out 18 times in a 9-3 defeat at Baltimore.
The Yankees have lost 13 of their last 20 games going into their first game following Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Yankees hadn’t made any trades as of late Monday night, but it’s possible they’ll add an outfielder or deal some of their upcoming free agents.
Zach Eflin (11-6, 3.64 ERA), who has tied a career-high in victories, will star for the Rays tonight. Eflin left his start against the Miami Marlins last Wednesday due to left knee discomfort after giving up five runs in four innings, but he avoided going on the injured list and was given the go-ahead to continue.
In three starts against the Yankees in his career, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA. On May 14 in New York, Tampa Bay defeated the Yankees 8-7 after he pitched six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits.
After spending a significant amount of time in the IL due to a forearm injury and subsequent back pain, Carlos Rodon (1-3, 5.75) is making his fifth start. Last Wednesday, Rodon defeated the Mets 3-1 by allowing one run on four hits over 5.1 innings. He had lost his first three starts since coming back from the injury. In four starts against the Rays in his career, Rodon is 0-1 with a 4.19 ERA.
Tampa Bay is now 4-2 SU in its last six games. The Rays are also 4-2 SU in their last six games against the Yankees. New York has won just twice in its last six games. The Yankees have won four of the last six at home though.
The Yankees are just 21st in scoring, averaging 4.32 runs per game. Over their last six games, New York has scored a combined 18 runs.
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