The New York Yankees (50-41) and Tampa Bay Rays (53-36) continue their four-game series in Florida with Game 3 on Wednesday night in what could turn into a pitchers’ duel.
The Yankees won Monday’s series opener 5-1 behind young ace Cam Schlittler, who tossed eight dominant innings while allowing just one run. José Caballero helped power New York to the win with a two-home-run performance that accounted for four RBIs, while first-time All-Star Ben Rice launched his 25th home run of the season before hitting No. 26 on Tuesday as he prepares to participate in next week’s Home Run Derby.
The AL East-leading Rays responded with a 6-4 victory Tuesday to even the series. Ian Seymour struck out 12 over 5.1 innings, while Victor Mesa Jr., Hunter Feduccia, and Yandy Díaz all homered.
Wednesday night’s matchup features two accomplished starting pitchers. The Yankees will send six-time All-Star and 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole to the mound for his ninth start of the season after missing the beginning of the year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Rays will counter with left-hander Shane McClanahan, who owns a 3.05 ERA and is coming off six scoreless innings in a win over Kansas City.
Yankees vs. Rays Current Odds
The Rays have won 10 of their last 13 games, while the Yankees are just 4-13 since June 20, prompting Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to list Tampa Bay as the home favorite Wednesday night at Tropicana Field:
Yankees vs. Rays Predictions
Don’t miss a minute of the baseball betting action. Head over to Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook and check out the Stats Hub for insights and trends to help make picks like the one below:
Rays vs. Yankees Best Bet: Shane McClanahan Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-115)
Shane McClanahan isn’t typically known as a high-strikeout pitcher. He has 77 strikeouts in 79.2 innings this season and averages fewer than six strikeouts per start over his career. However, this Yankees lineup is no stranger to strikeouts.
New York has struck out the fifth-most times in MLB this season, and its 70 strikeouts in July lead all of baseball entering Wednesday. Both Rays starters have recorded double-digit strikeouts in this series – Griffin Jax had 10 in five innings in Monday’s opener, and Ian Seymour followed with 12 in 5.1 innings Tuesday. The Yankees struck out 17 times in each of those two games.
While McClanahan has recorded four or fewer strikeouts in each of his last three starts and has gone over 5.5 strikeouts in only five of his 16 starts this season, the matchup against a strikeout-prone Yankees lineup makes this prop worth considering.
- Rays vs. Yankees Player Prop Pick for July 8: Shane McClanahan Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-115)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for NYY-TB
Junior Caminero and Ben Rice are tied for the second-most home runs in the American League with 26, making their home run props the two most-bet player props heading into first pitch Wednesday night:
- Junior Caminero – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Ben Rice – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Ben Rice – Hits Over 0.5
- Gerrit Cole – Outs Under 17.5
- Shane McClanahan – Strikeouts Over 5.5
Yankees vs. Rays Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for Wednesday’s AL East matchup:
- The Rays are generating more moneyline support with 68.5% of bets and 76.6% of the handle.
- Tampa Bay is also the more popular run line play with 62.5% of bets and a much higher 83.8% of the handle.
- The Over is attracting the majority of the action with 78.3% of bets and 70.5% of the handle.
Yankees vs. Rays Game Info
- 📍 Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 8
- ⏰ First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: MLB.TV, Prime Video
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Yankees: Gerrit Cole
- Rays: Shane McClanahan
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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