New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Handicapping Preview & Pick

Check out this next MLB betting opportunity between the New York Yankees (12-7) and Tampa Bay Rays (8-11) in Game 2 of their four-game series on Friday, April 18 at 7:05 PM ET at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. This matchup is a toss-up, as both teams are favored with a moneyline at -110 at MyBookie.

New York Yankees Betting Preview

The Yankees have won four consecutive games and have a ton of confidence heading into Game 2 of this series. In Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays, they took care of the game with a 6-4 finish.

So far, the Yankees have averaged 4.50 runs and allowed 2.25 during this current win streak. One key aspect to their offensive success has been Aaron Judge. He currently leads the Yankees with seven home runs, 22 RBIs, and a .400 batting average.

New York has consistently done well at the plate and has held their opponents to a lower average. Their batting average is at .258 and they allow opposing teams to reach .194, giving them a slight edge each game. This strong play makes befriending the New York Yankees a favorite choice for fans.

The Yankees also look better on paper offensively compared to the Rays, with a .343 on-base percentage and a .485 slugging percentage. Their ERA is at 4.22, which does not look as good especially with Carlos Rodon (1-3) (5.48 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) getting the start on the mound.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays have now lost three straight battles, which started back in Game 2 of their three-game series with the Boston Red Sox. During this losing skid, they have been averaging 2.33 goals and have allowed 4.66, which is a tough margin to overcome.

They had a 3-1 lead going into the fourth inning, but allowed the New York Yankees to add more runs in the fifth and sixth innings to push this game out of reach. Jonathan Aranda has the best batting average on the team so far at .377 and will be key here.

Tampa Bay has also been appealing at the plate, with a .267 batting average. Their defense has been solid in allowing opponents to get .229 while batting. Despite not having more wins, they need to capitalize on scoring opportunities with runners on base.

The Rays have an on-base percentage of .330 and a .416 slugging percentage that can rival what the Yankees offer. Their 3.44 ERA could be key in this series, especially with Drew Rasmussen (1-0) (0.60 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) on the mound to start.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie has your needs covered with the best New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays betting odds, as both teams are favored to succeed. According to market analysis, the Rays have a 60.6 percent probability of winning this outright. The Rays are in a bit of a slump while the Yankees are clicking each game.

Final Pick: New York Yankees -110