Hot-hitting Yandy Diaz will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Tampa Bay Rays (30-11) face off against the New York Yankees (23-18) at Yankee Stadium on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Yankees lead the series 2-1 after winning 9-8 on Saturday, their third head-to-head victory in six games this season. Reliever Jimmy Cordero was credited with the win after throwing 1.2 scoreless innings, and Wandy Peralta earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.
Aaron Judge went 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Kyle Higashioka added a home run and two RBIs. Diaz was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and four RBIs for the Rays. Randy Arozarena went 3 for 4 with one run and three RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Zach Eflin (4-1, 2.91 ERA) is slated for the start for Tampa Bay. The RHP allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 home defeat against the Orioles on Tuesday. He took the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out four and walking one.
For New York, RHP Clarke Schmidt (1-3, 5.35 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rays. Schmidt made six appearances against the Rays in 2022, including two starts, striking out 12 and walking two over 12 innings (1-1, 2.25).
In his last start on Tuesday, Schmidt got the win at home against the Athletics. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking two in the 10-5 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 4.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.1, due in part to diminished slugging (.438 vs .510). Against righties like Schmidt this season, the Rays have ann .843 OPS, highest in MLB.
Diaz is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a 1.050 OPS in 111 at-bats. New York is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with a better slash line (.269/.354/.525).
The Yanks have a .701 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .926 OPS over 82 at-bats, Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 11-8 in road games in 2023, scoring 6.3 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. New York has gone 16-9 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Yankee Stadium between the AL East rivals with an average scoreline of 5.0-4.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles. The Yankees are fifth in the AL East, eight games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
