Yankees vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 7, 2023

May 7, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The New York Yankees (18-16) and the Tampa Bay Rays (27-7) meet in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday at 1:40 PM ET. The Yankees are -119 favorites on the moneyline to win the series over the Rays (-100).

New York’s Gerrit Cole and Tampa Bay’s Javy Guerra have been named the starters for this contest.

Yankees vs. Rays Odds

Yankees odds to win: -119
Rays odds to win: -100
Spread: Yankees -1.5
Total: 7.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Sunday, May 7, 2023
Time: 1:40 PM ET
TV: BSSUN

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Who Will Win Yankees vs. Rays?

Yankees and Rays Betting Trends

The Yankees have won 64% of the games this season when they were favored on the moneyline (16-9).

New York has a record of 14-9 when playing as moneyline favorites with odds of -119 or shorter (60.9% winning percentage).

The Rays lost the only game they’ve played as the underdog this season.

Tampa Bay has played as an underdog of -100 or more once this season and lost that game.

The Yankees have had an over/under set by oddsmakers 34 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 11 of those games (11-22-1).

Games involving the Rays have gone over the total set by oddsmakers in 18 of 34 chances this season.

Yankees Stats & Insights

The Yankees are the 25th-highest scoring team in baseball averaging 3.9 runs per game (133 total).

New York ranks 11th in MLB action with 40 total home runs.

The Yankees’ .228 batting average ranks 26th in the majors.

New York strikes out 8.2 times per game, the 10th-fewest mark in the majors.

The Yankees pitching staff ranks fifth in MLB with a collective 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

New York has a 3.54 team ERA that ranks fifth across all MLB pitching staffs.

Rays Stats & Insights

No team has scored more than the 217 runs the Rays have this season.

No team in MLB has hit more homers than Tampa Bay, which has connected on 69 dingers this season.

The Rays lead baseball with a .277 batting average.

Tampa Bay ranks 14th with an average of 8.4 strikeouts per game.

The Rays average the 15th-most strikeouts per nine innings (8.8) in the league this season.

Tampa Bay has the lowest ERA in baseball at 2.91.

Yankees Key Players to Watch

The Yankees will send Cole (5-0) to the mound for his eighth start of the season. He is 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 52 strikeouts through 46 2/3 innings pitched.

Gleyber Torres has been key for New York with 27 hits, an OBP of .338 plus a slugging percentage of .404.

Anthony Rizzo is a key run producer for New York with a .282 average, five homers and 14 RBI.

Anthony Volpe has collected 25 base hits, an OBP of .323 and a slugging percentage of .345 this season.

DJ LeMahieu is a key run producer for New York with a .274 average, three homers and 14 RBI.

Rays Key Players to Watch

Guerra heads to the mound for the Rays to make his second start of the season, seeking his first win.

Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with nine home runs and has accumulated a team-high batting average of .327.

Wander Franco is hitting .302 with 14 doubles, six home runs and 12 walks.

Randy Arozarena has racked up a team-best nine home runs and 30 runs batted in.

Josh Lowe is hitting .318 with seven doubles, six home runs and eight walks.

Yankees and Rays Injuries

Yankees: Aaron Judge: 10 Day IL (Hip), Josh Donaldson: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Giancarlo Stanton: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Ben Rortvedt: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Jonathan Loaisiga: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Carlos Rodón: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Luis Severino: 15 Day IL (Lat), Lou Trivino: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Luis Gil: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Frankie Montás: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Scott Effross: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Tommy Kahnle: 60 Day IL (Biceps), Oswald Peraza: day-to-day (Ankle)

Rays: Pete Fairbanks: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Tyler Glasnow: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Jeffrey Springs: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shane Baz: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shawn Armstrong: 60 Day IL (Neck), Andrew Kittredge: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Josh Fleming: day-to-day (Foot)