We have the second matchup of this three-game AL East intradivisional series with the New York Yankees hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. This game is the 18th meeting between these two clubs this season with New York winning nine of the first 17 matchups.
Will Tampa Bay even up the season series, or can the Yankees grab a victory at home? Find out in our free MLB picks and predictions for Rays vs Yankees on Saturday, September 10.
Rays vs Yankees best odds
Rays vs Yankees picks and predictions
Right-hander Jameson Taillon is taking the mound for New York in this contest and should be an excellent candidate to back. Through 27 starts this season, Taillon is 12-4 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
While those numbers are “take it or leave it”, he has been much better during the second half of the season, as he’s finally found a rhythm. Allowing three or fewer earned runs in each of his last six starts, we should expect this strong pitching to continue against Tampa Bay.
Through five career starts against the Rays, Taillon is 2-2 with a 2.30 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. In his lone start against Tampa Bay this season, he threw eight shutout frames while allowing just two hits and striking out five. Through 65 career plate appearances against Taillon, this current Rays roster possesses a mere .186 BA, .305 SLG, and .253 wOBA.
Following Taillon is one of the league’s stronger bullpens right now. Since August 1, the Yankees’ relief pitching ranks seventh in the league in ERA, 10th in WHIP, sixth in BA, fourth in SLG, seventh in wOBA, and 14th in FIP. New York only utilized two relievers in last night’s game, which means most of their best arms (Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta, and Ron Marinaccio) should be available for this contest.
The Rays have scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their 17 matchups against the Yankees this season (59%), a trend we should expect to continue in this game going against Taillon and a strong bullpen.
My best bet: Tampa Bay Rays team total Under 3.5 (+100 at FanDuel)
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Rays vs Yankees betting preview
Jump to:
•Side analysis •Over/Under analysis •Starting pitchers •Injuries •Weather •Trend to know
Moneyline analysis
These teams enter this series in opposite form, with the Rays winning nine of their last 10 games, while the Yankees have lost six of their last 10. While I am still confident in backing Taillon and the New York bullpen in this contest, Tampa Bay is also throwing out one of its better pitchers, right-hander Corey Kluber.
Through 26 starts this season, Kluber is 10-7 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.12 WHIP and enters this game in especially good form. Over his last four starts, Kluber is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 0.80 WHIP.
I would not be shocked at all if this strong stretch of pitching continues against the Yankees, a team he has dominated in his career. Across 12 career starts against New York, Kluber is 6-3 with a 2.08 ERA and 0.79 WHIP.
We should get a great pitching duel in tonight’s contest, and I want no part in taking a side.
Over/Under analysis
As you can probably guess by now, I would lean towards taking the Under in this game. Both pitchers enter this game in good form and have fared well against tonight’s opponent.
However, the Yankees lineup can explode at any time, and I would rather just fade Tampa Bay’s offense against Taillon and New York’s bullpen. That being said, the Under is not a bad play if you wish to go that route.
The Under is 12-5 through the 17 meetings between these two clubs this season. With two strong starting pitchers and two deep bullpens, we should not expect a high-scoring affair.
Rays vs Yankees game info
• Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
• Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022
• First pitch: 1:05 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports, YES
Starting pitchers
Corey Kluber (10-7, 4.00 ERA): Kluber has been pretty good this season but has really started to put it together recently. Over his last four starts, he’s 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. Kluber’s success stems from his outstanding command, keeping walks at a minimum. This fact is evidenced by his 3.1 BB%, which puts him in the 99th percentile amongst MLB pitchers. Boasting a five-pitch arsenal, Kluber does a great job mixing between his pitches and keeping hitters honest.
Jameson Taillon (12-4, 3.95 ERA): Making his 27th start of the season for New York, right-hander Jameson Taillon will look to continue his strong second half of the season. Like Kluber, Taillon’s command is amongst the league’s best. This season, he’s thrown to a a 4.3 BB%, which puts him in 96th percentile amongst MLB pitchers. Boasting a six-pitch arsenal, Taillon does not rely on anything too heavily as his most frequent pitch is his 4-seam fastball, which he throws approximately 35% of the time.
Key injuries
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Betting trend to know
The Tampa Bay Rays have scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their 17 games against the Yankees this season. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Yankees
