Jake Odorizzi (2-0, 0.61 ERA) and Masahiro Tanaka (1-1, 7.00 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (6-5) and the New York Yankees (4-6) at Tropicana Field. The Yankees won the last game 5-4 and New York leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 18 and can be seen on SunSports and FS1.
Odorizzi is 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA in his appearances against the Yankees, but goes up against a below-average New York offense which is batting just .222 this season. When pitching against the Rays, Tanaka is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and five strikeouts. Alex Rodriguez (.344, 6 Rs, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Yankees, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, and four RBIs.
Tampa Bay is a -119 favorite against New York and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Rays have an overall money line of +250 and a record as the favorite of 1-1. The Rays are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 35. Tampa Bay is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 12 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rays, who lead the AL in strikeouts per home game with 9.7.
In games where it is the underdog, New York has a 1-3 record and an overall money line of -353. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 1-3 record against AL East rivals, and a 3-6 record SU. The Yankees have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 9.6 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Yankees have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Rays have a 5-2 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Tanaka takes the mound. Odorizzi (RHP) will be on the hill against the Yankees, who have a 2-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
The Yankees won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Rays are 2-3. The Yankees are 3-2 in close games this season.
Neither the Rays nor the Yankees have won a game in extra innings, both going 0-1 in such matchups.
The Yankees are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Rays have a record of 1-2 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 5-1. The Yankees have a 1-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Tampa Bay and New York both rank in the top 10 of the league in runs. Tampa Bay sits at eighth with 48 runs this season and New York ranks sixth with 50.
Ranking first in walks, Tampa Bay has earned 48 this season. New York ranks sixth with 38 walks.
The Rays are 4-5 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Yankees are 3-5 when they hit at least one homer.
