Slumping Yankees to shock favored Rays

When: Friday, August 25 at 6:40 PM ET
Who: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
Starting Pitchers: Gerrit Cole and Zach Eflin
Where: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL

Alright, listen up, sports fans. The New York Yankees might be on a rough stretch, but they're no strangers to turning the tide.

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That's what they're known for – the comebacks, the upsets, and the magic of baseball. They face the Tampa Bay Rays tonight, and I'm here to tell you why the Yanks are the spicy moneyline pick.

Game Preview

Let's look at the moneyline odds in this matchup between the Yankees and the Rays. The Yankees are underdogs to the tune of +114 on the moneyline. The implied probability of the Yankees winning this game is 46%.

Money Line
Yankees	+115	+120	+114
Rays	-125	-130	-124

Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Yankees have had a tough time enduring a nine-game losing streak. No one can sugarcoat it; it's been a struggle. But here's the thing about baseball: It's a game of streaks. And every losing streak is just the precursor to a winning one. So, don't count the Bombers out just yet.

Big G 💪 pic.twitter.com/T4kFrO1dlO

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 24, 2023

The Yankees will send out their ace, Gerrit Cole. He's looking to bounce back after a rough game in Boston. Before that loss, Cole had been pitching well for the Yankees, compiling a 10-4 record. He's also tallied 170 strikeouts along with a 3.03 ERA. Cole's potential domination could give the Yanks the stability they need to keep the Rays' bats quiet.

Cole is 2-1 this season against the Rays, so I can easily envision Cole putting together a strong performance that allows the Yankees to pull off the upset.

In my projections, I see the Yankees winning this game at least half the time; due to the sportsbook's error, I will back the Yankees with +114 odds at BetUS.

New York Yankees To win game

+114

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The Yankees are set to face the Rays' starter, Zach Eflin. Eflin has yet to be the picture of consistency this year, carrying a 3.58 ERA and striking out 136. Those aren't numbers that strike fear into the heart of any lineup, let alone the Yankees.

Eflin is 2-0 against the Yankees this season and has pitched well in both matchups. This should be a pitcher's duel with these two on the mound against each other.

However, I am not a fan of the price for the Rays moneyline. The cost of -124 on the moneyline indicates an implied probability of 55%.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with that and cannot recommend any bet on the Rays moneyline.

Tampa Bay Rays To win game

-124

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Total Runs

Now, let's talk about that under. The total of 7.5 runs might seem low at first glance, but it starts to make sense when you factor in the Yankee's recent offensive woes and Cole's potential to shut down the Rays' lineup.

Total Runs
Over 7.5 Runs	-105	-105	-110
Under 7.5 Runs	-115	-115	-110

The Yankees have scored one or fewer runs in five of their past nine games, and while they're due for a breakout, it's unlikely to be a high-scoring affair.

Backing the under here at -110 odds feels like the smart move. The Rays' bats have been hot, but Cole can potentially cool them down. Plus, runs could be at a premium with the Yanks' offense struggling. It's the perfect storm for an under bet.

Randy sends a souvenir to his Land.

(Unfortunately, it's not Friday so no free beers tonight.) pic.twitter.com/1RkA9tIPpB

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 23, 2023

Look, I'm not in the business of dealing in certainties. Baseball is a fickle sport, and any game can go many ways.

But based on the facts at hand, the Yankees on the money line and the under at -110 odds feel like intelligent plays. Don't sleep on the Bombers; they might just surprise you.

So, buckle up, place your bets, and get ready for some classic hardball action. This one's going to be a nail-biter.

Under 7.5 Runs New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

-110

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