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This Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees free pick is courtesy of Johnny Detroit and Pregame.com.
The New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays in a crucial series involving 2 teams with the best records in baseball. The Yankees will have to keep their emotions in check, as they are playing without their fallen owner. The Yankees are -180 favorites tonight, with a total of 8.5 runs expected. This game starts at 7:05 EDT.
Today represents a very bittersweet moment in the New York. The Yankees own the best record in baseball to start their 2nd half of the season, yet they just lost owner George Steinbrenner. Emotions will be high tonight, that's for certain. New York is 56-32 SU this season, including an impressive 28-13 SU at home. The Yankees lead the American League East by 2 games over their current opponent, the Tampa Bay Rays. P C.C. Sabathia will look to remain in dominant form, as he is 12-3 with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.14 this season. The Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 games following an off day. The Yankees are 44-12 in their last 56 home games against a right-handed starter. New York is 37-14 in their last 51 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. The Yankees are 40-17 in their last 57 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days. New York is 9-1 in Sabathia's last 10 home starts against a team with a winning record. The Yankees are
6-1 in Sabathia's last 7 starts against the American League East. New York is 23-5 in Sabathia's last 28 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Yankees are 12-4 in their last 16 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Over is 11-3-1 in their last 15 games following an off day.
Tampa Bay was streaking as they entered the All-Star break, winners of 8 of their previous 10 games. As a result, the Rays are 54-34 SU, the 2nd best record in baseball. Tampa Bay is +3.70 and -6.25 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. No team has played better on the road than the Rays this year, as they are 28-14 SU. P James Shields has struggled this season, yet the team is still confident he can turn his form around. Shields is 7-9 this season, with an ERA of 4.87 and a WHIP of 1.37. The Rays are 10-3 in their last 13 road games against a left-handed starter. The Rays are 20-6 in their last 26 games against a left-handed starter. Tampa is 25-10 in their last 35 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Rays are 1-11 in their last 12 Friday games overall. Tampa is 2-6 in Shields' last 8 road starts against a team with a winning record. The Rays are 1-5 in Shields' last 6 starts against a team with a winning record. Tampa
is 1-8 in Shields' last 9 starts overall.
The Rays are 19-7 in their last 26 games against the American League East. The Over is 5-1 in the Rays last 6 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 6-4 in favor of the New York Yankees. The Over 8.5 runs is the Total of the Day!
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Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
