New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 4/18/25 MLB Picks

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the New York Yankees

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tampa Bay Rays

Recent betting trends in games played between the Yankees and Rays

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Yankees vs Rays game

New York Yankees Betting Preview

The Yankees posted a hot start this year, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in three games. New York would lose their next series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks before bouncing back with a series victory versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. New York dropped another series versus the Detroit Tigers, then did the same versus the San Francisco Giants. After wins in their first pair versus he Royals this week, on Wednesday the Yankees posted eight hits in a 4-3 win. Aaron Judge managed a solo home run with two runs and three hits on the day. Clarke Schmidt added 5.2 innings with three earned on four hits and two walks. 

In their opener versus the Rays on Thursday, New York scored three runs in the sixth inning along the way to a 6-3 victory. Ben Rice put up four hits with two RBI, and Oswaldo Cabrera added two hits with two runs and a solo homer. 

In the starter slot for Friday the Yankees will go with Carlos Rodon. This year Rodon is 1-3 with a 5.48 ERA in four starts and 23.0 total innings. Rodon has a 76-66 record with a 3.88 ERA in 202 career games (197 starts). 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

Over on the Rays’ side, they opened up the season with wins in two of three versus the Colorado Rockies. Tampa Bay then won two of three versus the Pittsburgh Pirates before losing in a three-game sweep versus the Texas Rangers. The Rays followed that up with a series loss versus the Angels and a series win over the Atlanta Braves. Tampa Bay split their first two games this week versus the rival Boston Red Sox. In the rubber match Wednesday the Rays had five hits (and gave up five as well) in a tough loss 1-0. Zack Little managed 6.0 innings with one earned on five hits and three walks in the tough-luck defeat. 

In Thursday’s matchup Tampa Bay had a 3-1 lead for a couple of innings  but couldn’t score after the third. Junior Caminero had two RBI with a homer and two hits. Taj Bradley posted 5.1 innings with six earned in the start. 

As starting pitcher for Friday, the Rays are going with Drew Rasmussen. So far over his three starts Rasmussen is 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA in 15.0 innings. Rasmussen is 21-12 with a 2.85 ERA in 102 career games (53 starts) at the MLB level. He’s also got two saves in that time. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Yankees have lost seven of their last eight road games against the Rays following a win.
• The Rays have won six of their last eight games against the Yankees following a home loss.
• The Yankees have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight road games against the Rays following a road win.
• The Rays have covered the run line in six of their last eight home games against the Yankees following a loss.

Why the New York Yankees will win

• The Yankees have won each of their last six games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Rays have lost six of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Yankees have covered the run line each of their last four road games against American League opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Four of the Yankees' last five night games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in eight of the Rays' last nine home games.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in 16 of the Yankees' last 19 road games against AL East opponents.

Yankees vs Rays Prediction 

I’ll lean toward the Rays. Tampa Bay should get a nice showing from Rasmussen. Over his three starts this year he’s got 15.0 total innings, one earned, nine hits, two walks and 15 strikeouts. Rasmussen is coming off 5.0 clean frames with four hits and a walk in a no-decision versus the Braves. As for Rodon, he’s 0-3 in his last three starts, giving up a combined 13 earned runs off 10 hits and 10 walks in that time. Rodon will need a much better outing here if he’s going to put New York into position. 

Tampa Bay had a couple of bad innings in Thursday’s loss but played pretty well outside of that. I think they can rebound Friday.