Free MLB Pick: Yankees vs. Rays Odds
Looking for New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Yankees taking on the Rays on Friday, April 9th, 2021 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Yankees Rays free pick.
2021 MLB Handicapping
(3-3) New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays (2-4)
Date: Friday April 9th, 2021
Time: 3:10 PM ET
Venue: Tropicana Field in St. Peterburg, Florida
Projected Pitchers: Corey Kluber vs. Rich Hill
MLB Moneyline Odds: Yankees (-141) | Rays (+121)
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: New York Yankees -1.5 (-120)
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: 8.5
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays resume competitive acquaintances after resting Thursday. Having eliminated NYY last fall, Tampa Bay seeks winning form after drowning 9-2 Wednesday vs. Boston. The AL champion Rays have lost four straight, with three of those miscues coming by large margin. The Yankees enter Friday also looking to erase bad fortune following a 4-3 letdown opposite Baltimore.
New York Yankees
Records aside, NYY has a major score to settle Friday given how Tampa Bay overlapped the perennial World Series franchise during last year’s division race and nail-biting playoff matchup. While that shortened campaign bred odd results, Tampa Bay holds a loud recent 3-2 ALDS series triumph over the Yanks.
Intensity should bound through Trop Field, even if Aaron Judge remains out with side soreness. Judge is currently day-to-day, so keep a close watch on his status. Minus their towering right fielder, New York couldn’t escape Baltimore’s efficient Wednesday night, even though the Yankees held a 13-4 hit edge. With myriad runners left on base, NYY fell 4-3 in extra innings during one of those crazy outings where the underdog came through with a little luck.
Two time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber advances his rehab act after tossing four innings of five-hit, two-run ball during New York’s April 3 win vs. Toronto. While his outing appeared shaky at times, Kluber has the top MLB runs against crew backing him up. Given Tampa Bay’s bullpen issues, this matchup looks favorable for the Yankees.
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitching miscues have dogged the Rays since a 2-0 start. Boston, and briefly, Miami, recently outscored Tampa Bay 38-16 to dampen early morale among Kevin Cash’s World Series core. Obviously, down season personnel change has affected the devil-may-care confidence shown by the Rays during last Fall’s surprise run.
Lacking support from former emotional leader Hunter Renfroe, and perhaps hung over from not hurdling LAD, Tampa Bay is experiencing offensive crisis as well.
However, shoddy bullpen work, and lethargic starting arms cannot be ignored from this group. Ryan Yarbrough gave Boston nine runs through five innings Tuesday, while TB bats never came alive as the Red Sox decisive series sweep concluded.
Also hit by the injury bug, Tampa Bay scores just below the league average and surrenders high run totals. Friday’s probable Ray starter, Rich Hill, looks to stem the defensive bleeding. Although that may prove difficult as Hill has allowed four runs through five innings this spring. NYY could easily pounce 41-year-old Hill like Miami did to cap an April 3, 12-7 upset.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Tampa Bay is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
- Tampa Bay is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Yankees’s last 7 games
- New York is 2-1 SU in its last three games
Free New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction:
While Tampa Bay can boast 2020 success vs. NYY, again, a full schedule could’ve easily seen the Yankees gel and enjoy TBB’s deep run. Hindsight in tow, New York is currently functioning much better than their Friday host. With bullpens the deciding factor, take the Yankees in this exciting early season matchup. Also, take the Under here as NYY is just below league average offensively, but stand tops in runs allowed.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Yankees ML
If you’re looking for more MLB picks like this New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays matchup we’ll be providing 4* free MLB plays on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free MLB Baseball picks!
Register here for a FREE MLB Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
