Yankees vs Rays Prediction and Best Bets for Sunday, May 7
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Update: Sun May 07, 2023, 6:11 am ET
Read Time: 3 minutes
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After a split in the first two games of the New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays series, this afternoon will see the AL East rivals face off in a rubber game at Tropicana Field (1:40 pm ET, Yes & Bally Sports Sun).
On Friday night, the Rays (27-7) claimed a 5-4 win to open the series, with Wander Franco's RBI double in the bottom of the seventh plating the decisive run. Yesterday, the Yankees (18-16) evened up the series with a 3-2 win, scoring all of their runs in the eighth to turn things around after trailing since the first.
Will we see another one-run game in the series finale? Read on for our Yankees vs Rays prediction, as well as our best bets for this afternoon's matchup in St. Pete.
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New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Odds are via BetOnline as of Sunday, May 7, at 6:09 am ET.
Moneyline
- New York Yankees -116
- Tampa Bay Rays -102
Over/Under
- Over 7.5 (-105)
- Under 7.5 (-115)
Run Line
- New York Yankees -1.5 (+138)
- Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-166)
Pitching Matchup for Yankees vs Rays
- New York Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole (5-0, 1.35 ERA)
- Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Javy Guerra (0-0, 7.20 ERA)
Will Top Cy Young Contender Cole Continue Unbeaten Run?
The Rays haven't done much losing this season, but they are 4-2 in games following a loss. Also, in the previous eight instances in which they scored three or fewer runs this season, Tampa Bay scored five or more runs in the following game six times.
But if you are a Yankees fan or bettor, today is the day where you might feel most confident in their chances to win.
Thus far this season, the Bronx Bombers are a perfect 7-0 in Cole's starts, going 5-0 at home and 2-0 on the road. But in games started by others, they are just 11-16, including a 5-8 record on the road.
That is why the Yankees are still last in the stacked AL East despite yesterday's win, as they are still two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and nine behind the first-place Rays.
Being unable to string together consistent performances and results has been a big issue for New York. They are 7-10 in games following a win, and they have yet to win more than two games in a row. That may make them good fade material tomorrow, even if it's a home game against the woeful Oakland Athletics.
But with Cole on the mound, the Yankees are worth backing as favorites even on the road against MLB's best team, based on how well he is pitching and what they have done in his starts thus far. Cole has given up just seven runs in 46.2 innings, and he has not given up more than two runs or six hits in any of his starts.
New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction and Best Bets
Prediction for Yankees vs Rays: Yankees to win
Best Bets for Yankees vs Rays: Yankees ML (BetOnline) & Yankees team total over 3.5 runs (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook)
The Yankees have scored four or more runs in five of Cole's seven starts, and they are 14-3 this season when scoring three or more runs.
Where to Bet on Yankees vs Rays
Here are four legal sports betting sites that we highly recommend and have reviewed, where you can bet on MLB action this season.
There are plenty of places where you can place MLB bets, but if you are looking for reputable, legal options, you cannot go wrong with this quartet of sportsbooks.
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