Ivan Nova (1-1, 1.50 ERA) and Erasmo Ramirez (6-3, 4.01 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the New York Yankees (44-37) and the Tampa Bay Rays (42-41) at Yankee Stadium. The Rays lost the last game 3-2, continuing a seven-game losing streak. Action begins at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jul. 5 and can be seen on SunSports, YES and MLB Net.
Nova is 6-5 with a 3.59 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts against the Rays. Brett Gardner (.299, 60 Rs, 9 HRs, 39 RBIs, 15 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Ramirez is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA against the Yankees in his career. He takes on a good New York offense that’s batting .255.
New York is a -140 favorite against Tampa Bay and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Yankees have an overall money line of -120 and a record as the favorite of 25-17. New York is an impressive 3-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Yankees are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 256. New York is one of the best in the AL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.2 per game. Turning to the pitchers, the Yankees are the second-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.6 walks per game so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Yankees, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.4.
In games where it is the underdog, Tampa Bay has a 21-21 record and an overall money line of +92. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-4 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Rays have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 3.6 runs per game by averaging 2.7 during that stretch. The Rays are an excellent base stealing team with 60 stolen bases, ranking fifth in the MLB. The Rays allow 3.7 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 4.7 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Rays are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.20 for the season.
The Yankees lead the season series, 8-4. The Yankees have a 32-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Ramirez takes the mound.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rays lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Yankees are 11-11. The Rays are 11-16 in close games this season.
When the Yankees play into extra innings, they have a 2-4 record. The Rays are 2-6 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Rays are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Yankees have a record of 5-12 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 7-26. The Yankees have an 8-28 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the top half of the league at 15th when it comes to home runs, hitting 72 this season. New York ranks in the top five at third with 106.
Ranking 13th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.98 per game. New York ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.86.
Ranking 25th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.681). New York ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .751.
The Rays are 17-30 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Yankees are 22-29 when they allow at least one homer.
