Clint Frazier's one-man show helped the New York Yankees end a four-game losing skid and oddsmakers like their chances of building off that momentum in Wednesday's rematch with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
Frazier made a game-saving catch in the eighth inning, then hit the game-winning home run in the 11th to lift the Yankees to just their second win in the past 11 games against the Rays. It was a stunning loss for Tampa, which had won 16 of its previous 17 games to surge into the top spot in the AL East.
Here are our best free MLB betting picks and predictions for Rays vs. Yankees on June 2, at the betting preview and picks for Tuesday's game.
Rays vs Yankees game info
• Location: Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
• Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2021
• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports Sun, YES
Rays vs Yankees odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonNew York opened as a modest -115 favorite at TwinSpires Sportsbook and is out to -134 as of 3:45 p.m. ET. The Rays are taking 58 percent of moneyline tickets, while the Yankees are drawing 66 percent of moneyline cash. "We've seen some respected money on the Yankees," TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said. The total is stable at 8.5, with the Over landing 72 percent of tickets/ 55 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameRays vs Yankees betting preview
Starting pitchers
Shane McClanahan (2-0, 3.29 ERA): The Rays continue to churn out quality pitchers, and you can add McClanahan to that list with his recent hot streak. The 24-year-old limited Toronto and Kansas City to one total run while striking out 10 over 10 innings in his previous two starts. He has yet to face the Yankees this season.
Jordan Montgomery (2-1, 4.22 ERA): Montgomery has hit a bit of an uneven patch. He comes in having surrendered eight runs over 7 2-3 innings in meetings with Baltimore and Toronto, with a seven-inning, zero-run, 11-K gem versus the White Sox sandwiched in between. Montgomery held the Rays to a run on two hits with nine Ks over six innings in their last encounter.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Rays: None.
Yankees: Aaron Hicks CF (Out), Luke Voit 1B (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Rays are 9-1 SU in their last 10 road games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Yankees.
Moneyline pick
Neither of these teams has been all that effective against left-handed pitching in 2021, sitting tied for 20th in the majors with a 94 wRC+ vs. southpaws. And while neither starter will likely go longer than six innings, it's safe to say that there's no discernible edge in terms of which team is likely to produce more offense over that stretch.
That brings us to the bullpens, and this is where we're giving the Yankees the edge. They enter Wednesday ranked third in the majors in reliever ERA (2.73) and fourth in xFIP (3.68), and that dominance was on full display Tuesday night — six Yankees relievers combined to hold the Rays without a hit over the final six innings of New York's extra-inning win.
These small edges make a big difference to bettors over the course of the season and, while the Rays have been the better team in 2021, the Yankees are more than capable of duplicating their Tuesday success on the strength of another bullpen masterpiece.
PREDICTION: Yankees (-125)
Over/Under pick
These teams are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to season-long totals trends, with the Rays at 33-23 O/U and the Yankees at just 20-35 O/U.
New York's heavy Under skew has been the prevailing theme between these teams, with the clubs having gone 4-2 to the Under in their previous six head-to-head meetings.
Given how both teams have struggled vs. left-handed pitching this season, and how well the respective bullpens have fared so far in 2021, the Under feels like the superior play here.
PREDICTION: Under 8.5 (-110)
Rays vs Yankees betting card
- Yankees (-125)
- Under 8.5 (-110)
Picks made on 6/2/2021 at 10:10 a.m. ET
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