The New York Yankees (+140) are on the road to face the Tampa Bay Rays (-165) at Tropicana Field on Sunday with the home team in position for a sweep of the three-game series. The early total has been set at 7 runs with the under a -115 favorite. The Rays (74-57) lead the series 2-0 after winning 2-1 on Saturday, their fifth straight victory overall and seventh in 15 games against the Yankees this season. Corey Kluber threw seven scoreless innings for the win, and Jason Adam pitched the ninth to pick up his eighth save. Jose Siri went 2 for 2 with one run in the win. Aaron Judge was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Yankees (79-54).
ON THE MOUND
Frankie Montas (4-11, 3.84 ERA) is set for the start for New York. The right-hander allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Angels on Monday. He was charged with the loss, giving up eight hits while striking out six. Over two previous starts against the Rays this season, Montas has allowed only one earned runs over 13.1 innings (1-0, 0.68). He has struck out 12 and walked one. For Tampa Bay, right-hander Shawn Armstrong (2-1, 4.72 ERA) is on the mound. He has made four appearances against the Yankees this season, all out of the bullpen, giving up one run over 3.2 innings (1-1, 2.45) with five strikeouts and no walks. In his last start on Tuesday, Armstrong took a no-decision on the road against the Marlins. He threw three scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out one, in the 7-2 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 (.163/.234/.306). Against righties like Armstrong this season, the Yanks have a .734 OPS. Judge is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.073 OPS in 353 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.3 for the season, with an improved slash line (.324/.382/.473). The Rays have a .693 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .396 OBP over 305 at-bats, Yandy Diaz has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 34-34 in 2022. The Yanks have scored 4.8 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.7 runs. Tampa Bay has won eight in a row in front of their home fans. The Rays are 44-23 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, Tampa Bay is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Yankees lead the AL East by four games over the Rays. The Rays currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Tampa Bay Rays
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.