This Friday begins one of the most important series of the weekend when the New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays meet, with the American League East Division still undecided.
The Yankees come into the game leading the Rays by six games after losing four of their last five games and dropping to 10-18 during the month of August. For their part, the home team is in a good moment after winning eight of its last ten games and in front of its fans could approach the lead as the third-best team in the young circuit playing at home with a 42-23 record.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Game 1 on September 2, 2022
- Where: Tropicana Field, St. Louis Petersburg, Florida.
- When: Friday, September 2, 2022, 7:10 p.m. ET
Betting on the New York Yankees
- Season record: 79-52.
- Runline: (+1.5, -200).
- Moneyline: +105.
- Over/Under: 7.
The Yankees face one of the most important series of the season at a very difficult time: they are coming off a negative record in the month of August and were unable to win the series against two of the weakest teams in the league, the Athletics, and the Angels.
In order to try to stop this free fall, the New York team will send Domingo German to the mound, who allowed only one clean run in his last 14 innings of work. Although in his only start of the year against the Rays, on August 17, he gave up three runs in 4.2 acts.
The Yankees’ big problem is their offense, which only scored five runs or more in seven games over the past month and must now face one of the best collective pitching in Major League Baseball and allowed just five runs in three of the 13 games in which they have met this year.
Starting pitcher: Domingo Germán (2-2, 3.19 ERA).
Injured: Anthony Rizzo (questionable, back), Harrison Bader (foot), Aroldis Chapman (infection), Marwin Gonzalez (personal), Zack Britton (elbow), Scott Effross (elbow), Albert Abreu (elbow), Miguel Castro (shoulder), Matt Carpente (foot).
Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays
- Season record: 72-57.
- Runline: (-1.5, +175).
- Moneyline: -125.
- Over/Under: 7.
Without much noise but with much efficiency, the Rays begin the month of September just six games behind the Yankees with six games left to play and a full home series to close the gap.
To that end, manager Kevin Cash will send right-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound, who in August, after four very good outings, was shelled by the Boston Red Sox in his last start. However, the 29-year-old starter has been an important part of his team’s excellent performance this season.
Although their offense is not the most prolific in baseball, their collective pitching is among the league’s elite, ranking fourth in ERA (3.32) and eighth in FIP (3.63). Something they have been able to take advantage of to place themselves in the first American wild card and be up in the series against the Yankees, 8-5.
Starting pitcher: Jeffrey Springs (6-4, 2.76 ERA).
Injured: Brandon Lowe (tricep), Ryan Thompson (tricep), Matt Wisler (neck), Wander Franco (wrist), Roman Quinn (knee), J.P. Feyereisen (shoulder),
JefeBet Prediction
Nine of the 13 games between the Yankees and Rays this season have seen seven runs or fewer, including four at Tropicana Field.
Both pitching staffs are among the best in the circuit and the offenses are not at their best, so with so much at stake, the concentration, and level of play will be at its highest.
Pick: Under.