Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees 9/3/22

The New York Yankees (-185) are on the road to face the Tampa Bay Rays (+155) at Tropicana Field on Saturday. The early total was set at 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105).The Rays (73-57) took Friday’s series opener 9-0, their fourth straight victory overall and sixth in 14 games against the Yankees this season. Starter Jeffrey Springs threw 5.2 scoreless innings- striking out seven – for the win. Christian Bethancourt went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 1 with a double for the Yankees (79-53).

ON THE MOUND

Clarke Schmidt (5-3, 2.89 ERA) is slated to take the mound for New York. The righty allowed four runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, a 4-1 road defeat against the Athletics on Sunday. He took the loss, yielding eight hits while striking out seven and walking one. Schmidt has made one previous start against the Rays this season, a 5-4 road victory on June 22. He allowed one hit over one scoreless inning, striking out one and walking one. For Tampa Bay, RHP Corey Kluber (9-7, 4.21 ERA) is on the mound. He has made three appearances against the Yankees this season, all starts, giving up five runs (3 ER) over 18 innings (0-1, 1.50) with 16 strikeouts and two walks. In his last start on Sunday, Kluber got the win on the road against the Red Sox. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, striking out four, in the 12-4 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, New York has averaged only 2.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.9, while slashing worse across the board (.169/.253/.294). Against righties like Kluber this season, the Yanks have a .735 OPS. Aaron Judge is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a 1.076 OPS in 352 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging 6.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.3 for the season, with an improved slash line (.309/.366/.452). The Rays have a .693 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .398 OBP over 302 at-bats, Yandy Diaz has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 34-33 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Tampa Bay has won seven in a row at Tropicana Field. The Rays are 43-23 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. In the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Tropicana Field, each club has won five, though Tampa Bay has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.4-2.8.