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Yankees vs. Rays Prediction and Odds for Thursday, May 26 (Can Tampa Bay Slow Nestor Cortes Down?)

By Matt De Saro

New York Yankees starter Nestor Cortes Jr.
New York Yankees starter Nestor Cortes Jr. / Jim Rogash/GettyImages
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The first-place New York Yankees head out to face off against their rivals South of the Mason-Dixon when they kick off a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. At this point in the season, the Rays appear to be the only team capable of challenging the Yankees in the AL East

They trail the Bombers by 4.5 games and would love to come away with a series win this weekend to pull closer in the standings. 

But, that is easier said than done against a Yankee team with the best record in baseball. They did get got by the White Sox in an odd three-game series. New York also lost Game 1 in their early-week series against the Orioles 6-4. But bumps in the road happen and just go to show that this team is beatable under the right circumstances. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Yankees vs. Rays Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Yankees -1.5 (+130)
  • Rays +1.5 (-155)

Moneyline:

  • Yankees: -125
  • Rays: +115

Total:

  • 7.5 (Over +100/Under -120)

Yankees vs. Rays Prediction and Pick

The Rays have to be kicking themselves after losing two of three to the Orioles last weekend while the Yankees were getting smoked by the White Sox. It was a great chance to close the gap in the AL East. Now the Rays have to hope that they start off this series strong against the hottest pitcher on the Yankees, Nestor Cortes. The 27-year-old southpaw has been the alpha on a team full of hot arms. Cortes enters this game at 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA and squeaky clean 0.89 WHIP in 45 innings. The Yankees are 6-2 straight up in games Cortes starts and on a 3-0 streak.

Cortes also has one of the highest-scoring offenses at his back with the Yankees averaging 4.79 runs per game. They lead the league in home runs while ranking third in walks and sixth in RBIs. 

The Rays have yet to name a starter for Thursday’s game, but their overall pitching stats are quite strong with a team ERA of 3.31. But I think whoever they pick will have a tough time keeping up with Cortes. If he can maintain his current course, the Rays are going to have a rough day at the plate.

Pick: Yankees ML (-125)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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