Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Prediction 5/2/25 MLB Picks

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tampa Bay Rays

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the New York Yankees

Recent betting trends in games played between the Rays and Yankees

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

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays were able to take wins in their first two series of the year over the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. After a sweep by the Texas Rangers and a defeat in a series against the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay won a series against the Braves. Tampa Bay lost in two of three games versus the Red Sox and in three of four games versus the Yankees in the next two series. Next was a win over the Diamondbacks in two of three games, though. The Rays managed to sweep the San Diego Padres over the weekend. On Tuesday, Tampa Bay’s streak came to an end with a loss to the Royals. On Wednesday, the Rays dropped another one, getting out-hit 11-4 during a 3-0 defeat. Drew Rasmussen posted 5.0 innings with three earned runs on six hits and a walk as a starter. 

In the Thursday game, Tampa Bay was out-hit 15-8 in an 8-2 defeat. Yandy Diaz had a solo homer, and Jonathan Aranda provided two hits with the other RBI. 

For Friday’s starting pitcher role, the Rays are going with Ryan Pepiot. Over six starts this year, Pepiot is 2-3 with a 4.24 ERA across 34.0 innings total. Pepiot is 15-12 with a 3.42 ERA in 49 career games (42 starts) overall. 

New York Yankees Betting Preview

Over on the Yankees’ side, they got off to a nice start this year with a sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers. New York would lose the next series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, then take two of three over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Losses came to the Tigers and Giants in the next two series before a sweep over the Royals and a series win in Tampa Bay. After a set loss to the Guardians, New York won two of three over the Blue Jays. The Yankees split their first two games with Baltimore this week, 4-3 (loss) and 15-3 (win). New York bagged a whopping 19 team hits in their Tuesday victory. 

In the Wednesday finale versus the O’s, the Yankees had an early 2-0 lead, but that would quickly evaporate after giving up four runs in the second inning. New York ended up losing 5-4 to drop the set. Paul Goldschmidt (solo) and Aaron Judge (three hits; three RBI) each had a home run, and starter Carlos Carrasco faltered on 3.1 innings, four earned and eight hits. 

As a starter for the Friday opener, New York will roll with Max Fried. This year in his six starts, Fried is a nice 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA in 37.2 innings overall. Fried is 78-36 with a 3.00 ERA in 174 career games (157 starts) at the MLB level. 

Why the New York Yankees will win

• The Yankees have won each of their last six night games against AL East opponents following a road loss.
• The Rays have lost eight of their last nine games against American League opponents.
• The Yankees have covered the run line in each of their last seven games following a loss.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games against American League opponents.
• The Yankees have won the first inning in three of their last four games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Yankees have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games against the Rays.
• The Yankees have led after 5 innings in each of their last three games against the Rays.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The underdogs have won seven of the Rays' last eight games.
• The Yankees have lost four of their last five night games against the Rays at Yankee Stadium following a road loss.
• The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium following a loss.
• The Yankees have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 Friday night games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Rays' last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Yankees' last six home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in 12 of the Rays' last 13 Friday games against AL East opponents.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in four of the Yankees' last five games.

Rays vs Yankees Prediction 

I’ll lean toward New York, mostly because Fried will be on the mound. He’s currently enjoying a great opening run, and has zero earned runs on seven hits and four walks in 13.2 innings combined during a pair of wins in his last two outings. Fried notched another win over Kansas City in the start before that, giving up two earned runs on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings total. In all likelihood, we’re looking at another quality start here, unless the Tampa Bay hitters can figure out a weakness. 

The Yankees had just one good game (a 15-3 win on Tuesday) versus a struggling Baltimore team in their last set. This is another important divisional matchup, so New York needs to be on point this weekend.