New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Shane Baz, Rays Take Rubber Match Against Yankees?
The Tampa Bay Rays will take on the New York Yankees in the final game of the series. Can Shane Baz and the Rays start hot at home in this rubber match? Ben Rajavuori is targeting the first five innings in Yankees vs. Rays.
Ben Rajavuori - July 11, 2024, 4:51 PM EDT
5 minNew York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Shane Baz, Rays Take Rubber Match Against Yankees?
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays finish up a three game series from Tropicana field in Tampa Bay tonight. The Yankees and Rays have split the first two games of the series and now enter a rubber match tonight to decide the series.
YANKEES VS. RAYS DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: July 11, 2024
- Start Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: YESN, MLB Extra Innings
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
The Yankees have been heavily struggling over the last month, as they have been one of the worst teams in baseball with a record of 11–19 over the last 30 games. While the Yankees are still 56–38, some panic is starting to settle in in the Bronx, as the Yankees have not been playing good baseball as of late.
The Rays have not been much better, going 14–16 over the last 30 games, but they have been below average for much of the season. However, over the last few weeks, they have been playing better baseball than the Yankees, and they are also in a very advantageous spot tonight against Nestor Cortes.
Nestor Cortes, the Yankees starting pitcher tonight, is a left-handed pitcher. That is important in tonight’s game, as the Rays have been significantly better against left-handed pitching this season. Over the last two weeks, the Rays have the fifth best batting average against left-handed pitching at .321. Over that same time, the rays are also dead last in baseball against right handed pitching with an average of .188. This season, the Rays are 30–39 against right handed starting pitchers and 15–9 against left-handed starting pitchers.
Rays picture Shane Baz has only made one start this season, but it was a quality start against the Rangers. The young Rays pitcher has shown some promise and may be the better option in this matchup tonight against a struggling Yankees lineup that still has plenty of power but struggles to find consistent at bats. Nestor Cortes has a low ERA of 3.41, but he faces a tough test against a Rays lineup that has been dominant against left-handed pitching. I expect the Rays to jump out to an early lead tonight and to hold it through the first five innings.
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
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NEW YORK YANKEES VS. TAMPA BAY RAYS SYSTEM PROJECTIONS - JULY 11TH
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