Yankees (Cole) vs Rays (Glasnow) Game 5 Picks and Odds – Oct. 9th

• A win-or-go-home Game 5 in the ALDS takes place Friday, Oct. 9, at 7:10 pm ET between the Yankees and Rays
• New York kept its season alive on Thursday and will now turn to ace Gerrit Cole, who was victorious in Game 1
• Find the odds, matchup analysis, and best bets for the Game 5 of the best-of-five series in the article below

With a spot in the American League Championship Series on the line, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays will play Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7:10 pm ET in San Diego.

The Yankees roll with their obvious ace, Gerrit Cole, while the Rays are choosing to start Tyler Glasnow instead of Blake Snell. In this elimination game, though, it’s safe to say a wide range of personnel options are on the table for both teams.

As it stands, the No. 5-seed Yankees are the moneyline favorites for the fourth time in five games in the current Yankees vs. Rays odds. At -150, these are the shortest odds for the Yankees in the ALDS.

Rays vs Yankees Game 5 Odds

Odds as of Oct. 9. 

About Last Night

Thursday was a resounding, confidence-boosting win for the Yankees, as they topped the Rays 5-1 in a game they never trailed.

Mighty Fine Penmanship. pic.twitter.com/tpE7TZelQd

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 9, 2020

New York outhit Tampa Bay 11-3, and left 10 runners on base versus the Rays’ five. Giancarlo Stanton’s five-game homer streak ended, but he still hit a double — while Luke Voit and Gleyber Torres picked up the slack by each homering.

Arguably the greatest source of comfort for the Yankees, though, was the production from their bullpen. New York has a 4.33 bullpen ERA in this postseason (ranked last among the remaining teams), but Chad Green, Zach Britton, and Aroldis Chapman combined for five hitless innings on Thursday.

Pitching Matchup

Many probably expected a Game 1 rematch of Gerrit Cole versus Blake Snell. But Rays manager Kevin Cash named Tyler Glasnow as his starter instead. Both Snell and Glasnow were situated in Tampa Bay’s bullpen on Thursday, and presumably Snell will be used Friday if the situation calls for him.

#Rays Cash doesn't commit to Snell for Game 5 says they are talking about options and it will be an all-hands-on-deck approach

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 9, 2020

Glasnow and Cole both won their starts in this series, but in slightly different fashion.

Glasnow allowed four runs in five innings while striking out 10, backing into the win thanks to support from his offense. Cole allowed three runs in six innings while striking out eight, receiving just enough run support before his team pulled away late.

10 Ks for Tyler Glasnow. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/g5CA4nGb7u

— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2020

All in all, Tyler Glasnow’s limited postseason work has been unimpressive (6.00 ERA in 18 innings, with 26 strikeouts but five home runs allowed). Cole, on the other hand, has a 2.44 ERA in 62.2 playoff innings over the past three seasons.

Who’s Built For This?

It’s only one game. Both teams are very talented and anything can happen (and don’t forget, the Rays did win eight of 10 against the Yankees during the regular season).

But the Yankees — amid their fourth-straight postseason run, two of which extended to the ALCS — have experience on their side. Several contributing players have been with them since their window of contention opened in 2017.

The Rays — in only their second postseason since 2013 — have far fewer reps on a stage like this. Keep in mind that Glasnow was the Rays’ starter in Game 5 of the ALDS last year against Houston — and he was chased after 2.2 innings, allowing four runs and eventually taking the loss.

Any guess who the Astros’ pitcher was in that decisive game? Gerrit Cole. He tossed eight innings of one-run ball for the win.

On Friday, both teams will throw out whatever they can to try for the slightest of advantages. But the Yankees are starting with the edge, given that experience (and Gerrit Cole) is on their side.

Pick: New York Yankees (-150)