New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 4/17/25 MLB Picks

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays meet Thursday in MLB action at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Here’s a New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction. This article will include a New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Pick.

New York Yankees Betting Preview

The New York Yankees are 11-7 on the year and play the Guardians, Blue Jays, and Orioles next. The New York Yankees are batting .258 on the season, have a .343 OBP, and a .485 slugging percentage. The New York Yankees pitching staff has a 4.22 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Aaron Judge leads the New York Yankees with 27 hits and 21 RBI, while Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice have combined for 38 hits and 13 RBI. 

Will Warren gets the ball for the New York Yankees, and he is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA and 15 strikeouts this season. This will be Warren’s first career game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 8-10 on the year and play the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Royals next. The Tampa Bay Rays are batting .267 on the season, have a .330 OBP, and a .416 slugging percentage. The Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff has a 3.44 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Jonathan Aranda leads the Tampa Bay Rays with 19 hits and 11 RBI while Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero have combined for 34 hits and 15 RBI.

Taj Bradley gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays, and he is 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 21 strikeouts this season. Bradley is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA and 12 strikeouts in his career against the New York Yankees.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won seven of their last eight games against the Yankees following a loss.
• The Yankees have lost each of their last seven games as underdogs.
• The Yankees have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against AL East opponents following a win.
• The Rays have covered the run line each of their last seven Thursday night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last five Thursday games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.

Why the New York Yankees will win

• The Yankees have won each of their last four games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Rays have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against AL East opponents following a loss.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 11 of their last 12 games as home favorites against AL East opponents.
• The Yankees have covered the run line in each of their last six games as road underdogs against the Rays following a home win.
• The Yankees have led after 3 innings in six of their last eight games against opponents that held a losing record.

New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction

The Rays are getting the nod from oddsmakers because Bradley is the more trustworthy pitcher given the sample size. Warren has just eight career MLB starts under his belt and he hasn’t been good with a 8.35 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. With that said, we’re getting plus money with the better team in the Yankees. There’s enough offensive firepower to pick up Warren if the struggles continue. You’re going to make a lot of money in this business if you can get the better team and the more favorable price. That’s the case here with the Yankees.