Rays vs Yankees Series Predictions/Picks
The Belmont odds will likely steal the attention on Saturday, but sports fans shouldn’t forget about MLB betting this weekend. There are some crucial matchups, including a Rays/Yankees tilt that will tell us a lot about just how far the Yankees have come – and how far the Rays have to go.
Friday, June 5 at 7:05 p.m. ET: David Price (1-0, 3.00) vs C.C. Sabathia (5-3, 3.46)
An up-and-coming power lefty meets a superstar power lefty in the Bronx for what should be a great game Friday night. Is David Price ready to dominate in the bigs? He sure looked like it in last year’s playoffs, but he struggled in the minors early this season and couldn’t throw strikes in his MLB betting season debut. However, everything clicked for him in his last start, when he struck out 11 Minnesota hitters in just 5.2 innings. If his nasty stuff moves the way he wants it to, he could have a chance against the mighty Yankees.
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He’s in tough matching up against C.C. Sabathia. C.C. struggled in April but dominated in May; he’s back to ace form and will give his team a quality start almost every time out. He’s also 7-1 against the Rays in his career, so he’s set up well for success Friday. Price has a bright future but his control will have to be absolutely perfect against a patient Yankee lineup in the boombox known as Yankee Stadium. He may take his lumps on Friday.
MLB odds pick: Yankees
Saturday, June 6 at 1:05 p.m. ET: Matt Garza (4-4, 3.67) vs Joba Chamberlain (3-1, 3.71)
Another pair of solid young hurlers clash Saturday afternoon and this matchup looks like a coin toss. Joba Chamberlain alternates dominant and ugly outings; when he’s on, he blows hitters away and when he’s not, he walks everyone in sight. He’s struggled mightily at Yankee Stadium this year but he did mow down the Rays in his only start against them last season (8.1 scoreless innings, seven strikeouts).
Garza is the more consistent hurler and hasn’t been perfect but always seems to keep his team in the game. He does seem to save his best efforts for juggernaut opponents, as he’s allowed just five earned runs in 21.2 innings with 25 strikeouts against the Yankees and Red Sox in 2009 MLB betting. This should be a battle, but Garza’s pedigree suggests he’ll rise to the occasion. Go with Tampa.
MLB odds pick: Rays
Sunday, June 7 at 1:05 p.m. ET: Andy Sonnanstine (4-5, 7.07) vs A.J. Burnett (4-2, 4.69)
What to do with that enigmatic Andy Sonnastine? He’s been a nightmare on the road, allowing seven or more runs three times en route to a 9.00 ERA this year. However, he’s faced the Yankees twice and allowed two or fewer runs both times, so does he have a chance? Well, his 2009 suggests last season’s success was a fluke, so let’s apply that same principle to his success over the Yankees this season. Chalk it up to luck; he can’t strike anyone out, he’s serving up homers like crazy and he has a poor track record against A-Rod, Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter. He should get lit up Sunday.
A.J. Burnett is appealing his six-game suspension, so he should be active Sunday. He’s been solid against the Rays this season (3.21 ERA, 17 K in 14 IP) and that’s all you really need to know.
Both pitchers should allow some homers Sunday, but Burnett will come out on top.
MLB odds pick: Yankees
