Rays vs Yankees Predictions, Odds & Player Props to Target (May 11)
By George Nassios in MLB Baseball
- One week after facing each other for the first time this season, the Rays and Yankees renew their rivalry on Thursday, May 11th
- Tampa took two of three from the Bronx Bombers at Tropicana Field last week
- See the Rays vs Yankees predictions, player props and odds below
Sporting records that most prognosticators thought would be reversed, the Tampa Bay Rays (29-9, 10-6 away) and New York Yankees (21-17, 14-8 home) get set for another three game series just days after they concluded their first set of contests against each other.
Tampa took two of three from the Bronx Bombers last weekend and are causing many to rethink the original handicap in the AL East Division odds where the Yanks were heavy favorites to begin the year. New York is still the chalk to claim the AL East, although Tampa’s odds have shortened tremendously.
Game one of this three game set is on Thursday, May 11th with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm ET. Television coverage will be provided by Bally Sports Network and YES. Check out the Rays vs Yankees odds below as well as our best bets and prediction.
Rays vs Yankees Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | -125 | -1.5 (+130) | O 8.5 (-110) |
| New York Yankees | +105 | +1.5 (-150) | U 8.5 (-110) |
Sporting the best record in all of baseball, the Rays are slight -125 moneyline favorites to take the series opener at Yankee Stadium.
Thursday evening’s forecast in the Bronx is calling for perfect ballgame temperatures of 75 degrees and very limited wind.
Odds as of May 10th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on Rays vs Yankees on May 11.Â
Tampa Bay vs New York (AL) Probable Pitchers
In a rematch of Saturday’s pitching duel, Drew Rasmussen takes to the hill for Tampa, while Domingo German will be on the mound for the Yankees. The Tampa righty had the better performance of the two, but his relievers squandered the lead as the Yanks pulled out a 3-2 comeback win.
In fact, Rasmussen had his best performance in about a month facing the Evil Empire lineup. He pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing just two hits and no runs.
Relying on an excellent fastball and slider combo, the 27-year old had a breakout season last year, making 28 starts and going 11-7 with 2.84 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Save for Shane McClanahan, he will be counted on more than any other piece of the rotation for the Rays this campaign.
Rasmussen vs German Stats
| 3-2 | Record | 2-2 |
| 3.11 | ERA | 4.35 |
| 1.20 | WHIP | 0.94 |
| .243 | OBA | .177 |
| 3.6 | SO/W Ratio | 3.7 |
On the other side, German did enough to keep the Yanks close enough to mount their comeback against the Rays in his last outing. The Dominican native went five innings, allowing just two runs.
Although his ERA isn’t exactly a pretty number to look at, German has actually pitched quite well this year, limiting baserunners. His 0.94 WHIP ranks sixth amongst all American League starters and opponents are hitting just .177 against him this year, by far the best mark of his career.
A standing ovation for Domingo Germán as he exits after 8.1 strong innings. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/ur5HBNQFya
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 2, 2023
Even though he’s a righty, German has owned left-handed hitters this campaign, holding them to a .143 batting average. Putting five lefty bats in the MLB starting lineups for his team last week against German, we’ll see if Rays manager Kevin Cash opts for a different approach this time around.
Rays vs Yankees Player Props Picks
After sitting out the first month of the season with an oblique injury, Harrison Bader has caught fire and it all started against these same Rays last Friday. Entering that series he was batting a paltry .143, but he’s been humming ever since, going 11-for-21, raising his average over .400.
During that span, the outfielder has cranked three long balls and two triples with three mutli-hit games. Although he didn’t start against Rasmussen last week, he came in later and went 2-for-2 in that ballgame. Take the former Cardinal to continue his hot stretch and get over 0.5 hits at -180 odds.
Harrison Bader is slashing .440/.462/.840 with two homers, two triples, six runs and eight RBI in his first seven games of the season
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) May 10, 2023
This appears to be the year that Wander Franco will solidify himself as a superstar, not just with his glove, but with the stick as well. He’s already match his career high for home runs with seven bombs and has reached base in each of his last 10 games.
Put some money on the shortstop to get over 1.5 total bases at +125 odds and you might also want to consider sprinkling a bit of cash on Franco to go deep with a +550 payout. Of his seven home runs this season, six have come off righthanders.
Rays vs Yankees Predictions
Given their league leading record, it’s understandable why the Rays are the chalk in the MLB odds. However, it looks like their AL East opponents are now gunning for them.
Tampa comes in having lost the last two to the Orioles and the Yankees will be seeking early revenge for losing their series last week. The Bronx Bombers have won four in a row at home and our prediction is take them to win as hosts at plus odds in the Thursday MLB odds.
Pick: New York Yankees Moneyline (+105)
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Sports Writer
George has had a lifelong love affair with sports and studying sports statistics since he was a kid. He graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and has worked in the sports & media industry ever since in various roles from writer to producer.
