Rays vs. Yankees (September 10): Will Kluber have the better of the Bronx Bombers yet again?

Through their recent struggles, the New York Yankees have shown a knack for winning right when they really needed to. They will need to call upon that timeliness once more in this afternoon’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.

As their once-hefty lead in the AL East has dwindled over the last several weeks, the Yankees have avoided a full-on collapse with timely wins and win streaks.

The latest example came last weekend, when they dropped the first two games against the Rays at Tropicana Field but avoided the sweep and then won the first three games of their series against the Minnesota Twins.

After losing the finale of that series and last night’s series opener against the Rays at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers now lead the AL East by only 3.5 games, the closest the division has been in quite some time.

Another win for Tampa Bay today would not only pull them within 2.5 games of first, but it could also benefit the streaking Blue Jays, who are now just five games back of the Yankees and are 9-2 in their last 11 games.

The visitors will be confident of getting the win and wrapping up the series today, as Corey Kluber has pitched very well against his former team this season.

The Yankees, meanwhile, will be counting on a strong outing by Jameson Taillon and more contributions from their bats, who had yet another unproductive night last night.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Tampa Bay Rays (78-58, 31-34 away, 2nd in the AL East) vs. New York Yankees (83-56, 48-22 home, 1st in the AL East)
• Venue & Location: Yankee Stadium (New York, New York)
• Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022
• Game Time: 1:05 p.m. Eastern Time
• Rays vs. Yankees TV Info: MLB Network

Rays vs. Yankees Pitching Matchup

• Tampa Bay: RHP Corey Kluber (2022: 26 starts, 10-7, 4.00 ERA)
• New York: RHP Jameson Taillon (2022: 27 starts, 12-4, 3.95 ERA)

Rays vs. Yankees Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also mention odds from other legal sports betting sites that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Tampa Bay Rays -108
• New York Yankees -108

Over/Under

• Over 7.5 (-115)
• Under 7.5 (-105)

Run Line

• Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+150)
• New York Yankees +1.5 (-182)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Prediction and Best Bets

Rays vs. Yankees Prediction: Tampa Bay to win

Rays vs. Yankees Best Bets: Tampa Bay ML (Best Value: -103 at BetUS) & New York team total under 3.5 runs (Best Value: -104 at BetOnline & BetUS)

While the Yankees have found it hard to push across many runs over the last several weeks, they have given Taillon good run support in his last three starts, all of which were wins for the Bronx Bombers.

• at Oakland (8/25): 13-4 W
• at Los Angeles Angels (8/30): 7-4 W
• vs. Minnesota (9/5): 5-2 W

More of the same today would certainly be beneficial for the Yankees, who are in a real fight to stay atop the of the AL East.

Last night’s loss was their 22nd in their last 35 games, and the offensive results are no doubt a tough pill to swallow for Yankees fans and bettors.

Recent Scoring Trends for the New York Yankees

• The Yankees have scored three or fewer runs 23 times in their last 35 games.
• In games in which they have scored three or fewer runs, the Yankees are just 3-20.
• In the 12 games in which they have scored more than three runs, the Yankees are 10-2.

Taillon drew the start in five of those 12 games, with the Yankees winning four of them. So, if he can get some decent run support, it bodes well for him and the Yankees.

However, Kluber has been fantastic this season against his former club. In four starts, he has four quality starts and has allowed just five runs (three earned), 13 hits, and two walks in 25 innings.

Last Saturday, the two-time AL Cy Young winner tossed seven shutout innings, allowed two hits and no walks, and struck out four in a series-clinching 2-1 win.

He has a loss and a no-decision in two Rays losses in his two starts at Yankee Stadium this season, but neither result is on him.

In the first on June 14, two errors in the fourth inning helped the Yankees score two unearned runs, which proved to be the game’s only runs.

In the second on August 17, he was in line for the win after allowing two runs in six innings, but the bullpen threw the game away in an 8-7, 10-inning loss.

This season, the Yankees are 17-2 when they have scored more than three runs in a Taillon start and 3-5 when they haven’t.

I expect Kluber to shine again against the Yankees, and if he does, the outcome is unlikely to be favorable for the home team.

More Rays vs. Yankees Content on Betting News

• Rays vs. Yankees Consensus Picks, Betting Stats & Team Trends (9/10)