Masahiro Tanaka (1-0, 3.06 ERA) and Blake Snell (0-0, 0.00 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the New York Yankees (6-9) and the Tampa Bay Rays (7-9) at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won the last game 6-3, and New York leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 23 and can be seen on YES, MLBN and SUN.
Tanaka pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs (one unearned) and striking out six in a 4-3 win over the Mariners. Mark Teixeira (.216, 10 Rs, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs and one stolen base. Logan Forsythe (.298, 11 Rs, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Rays, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
The odds for New York and Tampa Bay are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, New York has a record of 4-5 SU. The Yankees have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. New York leads the MLB in steals, swiping 16 bases. New York’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Yankees are the third-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.3 walks per game so far this season.
The Rays are 1-2 against fellow AL East members. Offensively, the Rays have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Tampa Bay is excellent at not striking out on the road with just 10.2 per game, ranking third in the AL. The Rays allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 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 1.177 for the season.
The Yankees have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY
Notes
New York has won 50% (4-4) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Tampa Bay has won 67% (4-2) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Yankees have a record of 3-2 when opponents’ pitchers have six strikeouts or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 4-1. The Yankees have a 6-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 55 this season. New York ranks 17th with 62 runs.
Ranking 28th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 41 this season. New York ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 58.
When the Yankees hit at least one home run, the team is 6-5. Tampa Bay has the same record when it hits one or more homers.
