Free MLB Picks Today: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays 5/12/23

The Tampa Bay Rays (30-9) will have their work cut out for them against Gerrit Cole at Yankee Stadium on Friday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the New York Yankees (21-18).

The Rays took Thursday’s series opener 8-2, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season. Starter Drew Rasmussen threw seven scoreless innings – striking out seven – to get the win.

Josh Lowe was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and had five RBIs. Willie Calhoun went 1 for 3 with a double and one run for the Yankees.

ON THE MOUND

Trevor Kelley (0-1, 9.00 ERA) is in line to get the start for Tampa Bay, his first of the season. The RHP allowed two runs in two innings of relief in his last appearance, a 5-2 road defeat against the Blue Jays on April 15. He was charged with the loss, scattering two hits and walking one.

Kelley is making his first appearance against the Yankees this season. Kelley made one appearance against the Yankees in 2022, a 12-8 home loss for the Brewers on September 18. He surrendered two runs on three hits over 2.1 innings, striking out two.

RHP Cole (5-0, 2.09 ERA) will toe the rubber for New York. His only prior start against the Rays this season was his last outing, when Cole gave up six runs (5 ER) over five innings in an 8-7 road defeat on Sunday.

He gave up eight hits and walked two, while striking out six in the no-decision. The RHP is tied for second in the AL in wins, fourth in ERA, and tied for fourth in strikeouts (58).

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 4.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.1, while slashing worse across the board (.244/.326/.413). Against right-handed pitchers like Cole this season, the Rays have an .838 OPS, highest in MLB.

Lowe has been the team’s biggest extra-base threat against right-handers with a .648 SLG in 107 at-bats. New York is averaging 7.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.4 for the season, with a better slash line (.262/.344/.548).

The Yanks have a .695 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .930 OPS over 81 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is 11-6 away from home in 2023, scoring 6.3 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. New York has gone 14-9 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Yankee Stadium with an average scoreline of 4.1-3.7.