Masahiro Tanaka (2-1, 3.22 ERA) and the New York Yankees (12-8) square off against Jake Odorizzi (2-1, 1.65 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the second of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won the last game 4-1 and New York leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 28 and can be seen on SunSports and YES.
Tanaka pitched 6.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking two in a 2-1 defeat to the Tigers. Brett Gardner (.316, 14 Rs, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 5 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. Against the Yankees, Odorizzi is 2-2 with a 4.66 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts. Steven Souza Jr. (.254, 7 Rs, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
New York is a -123 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 +293 and a record as the favorite of 5-4. New York is an impressive 3-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Yankees lead the MLB in home runs with 27. New York’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.9 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.1. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Yankees, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 9.1.
In the other locker room, Tampa Bay is coming in with an overall money line of +344 and an impressive record of 6-4 as the dog. They have been playing solid baseball as the underdog with a 4-3 record against fellow AL East members, and a 9-7 record SU. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is fourth in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rays are the best in the AL with an average of 6.8 hits allowed per game. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.1 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Yankees have the edge in the season series, 4-0. The Yankees have a 7-6 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Odorizzi takes the mound. Tanaka (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have an 8-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Tampa Bay is 4-4, while New York is 4-5.
The Yankees are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Rays have a record of 3-4 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 1-7. The Yankees have a 3-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, New York has hit 27 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 10th with 19 home runs.
New York and Tampa Bay both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. New York sits at sixth with 8.26 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks ninth with 8.11.
Ranking 11th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.718). New York ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .757.
The Rays are 4-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Yankees are 5-6 when they allow at least one homer.
