New York Yankees (55-51) vs Tampa Bay Rays (65-44)
Game Info: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 7:05 pm (Yankee Stadium)
Gerrit Cole (9-2) (2.64) vs Shane McClanahan (11-1) (3.00)
Betting Odds: New York Yankees -116 / Tampa Bay Rays -111 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays will meet in the Bronx for their divisional series finale this Wednesday from Yankee Stadium on Amazon Prime. Tampa took game two after a strong pitching effort, 5-2.
Rays Preview & Projected Starter
Tampa Bay comes in at 66-44 after defeating New York. The Rays held the Yanks scoreless for eight innings and finished the mission last night, and they’ll look to pull off a fourth straight win. The Tampa offense is scoring 5.13 runs per game, while batting .255, with a .327 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.70 ERA, with a 1.18 WHIP.
Shane McClanahan (11-1, 3.00 ERA, 118 Ks) will take the mound for Tampa. The third-year pitcher had another so-so outing in Houston last week, striking out six through five innings, and allowing three runs. McClanahan’s hot opening to the season has camouflaged his past two months of action, as only two of his last six outings have resulted in quality starts, and he’s winless through those six contests. McClanahan has made a trip to the Bronx already this season, and it didn’t go particularly well, allowing four runs in just four innings pitched.
Rays Player Trends & Props
• Yandy Diaz went yard in the game one victory, and he leads Tampa in batting (.317) and hits (109), with 14 home runs and 51 RBI.
• Wander Franco brings a five-game hit streak in this contest, and he’s right behind Diaz with 108 hits for the season, to go along with thirteen homers and 49 RBI.
• Brandon Lowe has produced a run in six of the last eight games, and he’s up to fourteen home runs and 43 RBI for the season.
• Randy Arozarena snapped a cold streak with a home run in last night’s win, and he leads the Rays in RBI (64), with eighteen homers.
• Isaac Paredes went yard in the game one victory, and he’s leads the team in homers (21), with 63 RBI.
Yankees Preview & Projected Starter
New York moved to 55-52 after falling to Tampa Bay. The Yankees have now won five of their previous seven, and they’re not going away without a fight this season. The New York offense is scoring 3.87 runs per game, while batting .230, with a .300 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.87 ERA, with a 1.25 WHIP.
Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.64 ERA, 149 Ks) will take the hill for New York. The tenth-year pitcher put together a strong outing in Baltimore, tossing seven scoreless frames en route to a win over the Orioles. Cole just completed a wonderful month of July that saw him post a 1-0 record, but deliver five straight quality starts, and clear 10 Ks twice. Cole has faced Tampa twice this season, and after delivering mixed results, he’ll seek better results this time around.
Yankees Player Trends & Props
• Gleyber Torres doubled in a run in the game two loss, and he’s leading NYY in hits (102), while posting splits of .255/16/44.
• Aaron Judge reached base on a single in last night’s contest, and he’s leading the Yanks in batting (.296) and homers (20), with 42 RBI.
• Anthony Rizzo has responded to his golden sombrero with hits in both matchups with Tampa, and he’s posting a line of .244/12/41.
Corey’s Free Pick
Gerrit Cole’s recent form makes this a spot to trust the Yankees at home, and when you throw in the possibility of being swept, there should be a sense of urgency within the clubhouse to go out and get a victory. Shane McClanahan has struggled as of late, and if the Yanks can find a way to provide Cole with some run support, they’ve got a good chance to win here. It’s now or never for New York, so let’s back them at home with their ace on the mound Wednesday.
Corey’s Pick Yankees ML
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
