Yankees vs Rays Prediction 7/8/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Yankees vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, July 8th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

New York Yankees Betting Preview

The New York Yankees are 50-41 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 5-1 and 4-6. In game two, New York led 3-2 in the third inning, but they allowed the next four runs for the loss. The Yankees recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Rice, who went 3-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Warren allowed seven hits and six earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Hill threw 1.2 innings in relief. Prior to this series, New York lost two out of three against the Twins and all three against the Tigers. 

This season, New York has a 3.40 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .228 opponent batting average, while they have scored 436 runs with a .234 batting average and a .316 on base percentage. Ben Rice has led the Yankees with 26 home runs and 60 RBIs, while Cody Bellinger has added 11 home runs and 50 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Gerrit Cole, who is 3-3 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 42.2 innings pitched this season. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 53-36 this year after they won game two by a score of 6-4 last night. Tampa Bay blew a 2-0 lead in the third inning, but they scored four runs in the fourth to get the win. The Rays recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Diaz, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Seymour allowed five hits and three earned runs over 5.1 innings for the win, while Baker picked up the save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay lost two out of three against the Astros, but did sweep the Royals before that. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.76 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while they have scored 403 runs with a .257 batting average and a .334 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 26 home runs and 56 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Shane McClanahan, who is 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 79.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won each of their last 10 home games against AL East opponents following a win.
• The Yankees have lost nine of their last 10 night games against AL East opponents.
• The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as favorites after playing the previous day.
• The Yankees have failed to cover the run line each of their last six Wednesday night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Yankees have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs.

Why the New York Yankees will win

• The Yankees have won each of their last 10 Wednesday night games against the Rays.
• The Rays have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against the Yankees following a win.
• The Yankees have covered the run line in each of their last 11 Wednesday games as road underdogs.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games as home favorites against the Yankees following a home win.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Yankees’ last 10 games as underdogs against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Rays’ last 10 games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last four games between the Yankees and Rays.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Yankees’ last three road games.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 Wednesday night appearances.
• Shane McClanahan has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances at Tropicana Field.
• Junior Caminero has hit at least one home run in six of the Rays’ last eight games as favorites.
• Shane McClanahan has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances at Tropicana Field against opponents that held a winning record.

New York Yankees Player Prop Facts

• Gerrit Cole has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last eight appearances against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
• Gerrit Cole has recorded a win in four of his last five road appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Ben Rice has hit a home run in each of the Yankees’ last two games.
• Ben Rice has recorded at least one hit in each of the Yankees’ last seven road games against the Rays.

Yankees vs Rays Prediction 

Tampa Bay was able to snap their small losing streak with a win on Tuesday night, but they have allowed 21 runs in their last four games. The Rays are 32-13 at home this year, while the Yankees are 27-21 on the road. New York has also lost three of their last four games and they have allowed 24 runs during that span. The Yankees are starting Cole, who has allowed 2, 4, 5, 2, and 2 earned runs in his last five starts, while McClanahan has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight outings. Take the Rays here, as they are great at home and Cole has not been himself this year.

David Racey's Pick: Rays ML