MLB Picks

Yankees vs Rays picks & prediction (05/31/2021)

May 31, 2021 11:54 am

In what should be a very exciting matchup, the Yankees and Rays will meet four times over the next few days. With that in mind, we have prepared a detailed preview and our top picks for the first Yankees vs Rays duel.

Top New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks

yankees vs rays

If you are not sure what is the best bet for Yankees vs Rays, check some of our favorite betting tips and picks for this game:

Pick One – Moneyline: Tampa Bay Rays to Win @ -110 – PointsBet

Pick Two – Total Points: Under 8.5 @ -112 – Fanduel

Pick Three – Total Runs by New York Yankees: Under 4.5 @ -136 – DraftKings

Keep in mind that odds are subject to change at any time, so check the odds with your bookie before you place a bet.

Tampa Bay Rays to Win on Moneyline

We really like the odds on Tampa Bay Rays in this game since we feel that they should be absolute favorites due to their recent form – they’ve won nine of their last ten games. Meanwhile, New York Yankees are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but they’ve also lost three games in a row in Detroit.

In addition to this, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have already met nine times this season and the Rays have won six of those nine duels. The Rays are also 19-7 in the last 26 h2h meetings between these two teams, so our pick is for Tampa Bay Rays to win on moneyline.

Under 8.5 Total Points

Betting on total points in this match can be a bit tricky since Tampa Bay Rays have an average of 5 runs per game, which puts them in fifth place in the entire league. On the other hand, New York Yankees average just 3.79 runs per game, which means that they are 23rd in the MLB in this category.

So, with total averages for both teams being so close to the line, it’s hard to determine where this match will go. However, the Yankees have been very cold on offense lately and they’ve only scored five runs in their three games against Detroit Tigers. With that in mind, our prediction is under 8.5 total points.

Under 4.5 Total Runs by New York Yankees

We’ve already explained why we expect the total points in this game to go under and the main reason lies in the poor output by the Yankees on offense. Overall, the Yankees average 3.79 runs per game, which is already under the line provided by the bookies.

Furthermore, the Yankees have been very cold lately. As we mentioned, they’ve only scored five runs in three games in Detroit, and that was against some young and inexperienced pitches. Now they will face Rich Hill, a seasoned veteran and a lefty, who already had success against the Yankees this season. So, our suggestion is to bet on under 4.5 total runs by New York Yankees.

Yankees vs Rays Preview – Can the Yankees Get Out of the Slump?

The two teams enter this game in completely different moods, so let’s take a closer look at both teams and what we can expect from their duel:

New York Yankees

The Yankees have been the main favorites to win the American League before the start of the season, but they have been struggling lately. The team has been swept in Detroit by the Tigers in three games, bringing their score in the last 10 games to 5-5. Overall, the Yankees have a record of 53-29-24, which is enough for only 6th place in the American League.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have been amazing this season and they are currently sitting at the top of the American League. The team is also in great form at the moment after winning four games in a row – two against the Royals and two against the Phillies. Furthermore, the Rays have a record of 9-1 in the last 10 games, bringing their overall record to 54-34-20 for the season.

Top Yankees vs Rays Predictions & Outright Markets

Considering that outright markets are only available for competitions, they aren’t viable for betting on the upcoming NY Yankees vs TB Rays games. If you prefer to bet on outright markets, then you can try betting on the World Series, where the NY Yankees are favorited to win the American League, for now. The main regular-season markets you will be able to choose from are listed below:

Moneyline

Moneylines are the most common bets out of all where you bet on the outcome on fixed prices (odds). You can either bet on the favorite or the underdog to win the match and both teams have different odds. Usually, the underdog is indicated by the plus sign on the prices, while the favorite is indicated by the minus sign on the prices. Moneylines are the most common baseball wager and they should be available on every bookmaker platform.

Seeing as the Yankees are the outright favorite for the AL next season, it is logical to believe that once the odds are posted the Yankees would have the negative odds, but the Rays were in good shape last season and if they keep it up the underdogs might have a shot at winning.

Totals

Totals are also called over/under markets and they are significant because of the total number of points or another statistic, like home runs, for example. Bookmakers predict the total number and your role is to bet if the statistic (points, home runs, RBIs, saves, etc.) would be over or under the number specified by the bookmaker.

For example, if the number specified by the bookie is 8.5, you will have to bet if the total points scored or home runs, or another statistic would be over or under that number. This type of betting is also referred to as betting on totals. We will have to wait and see what number the bookmakers give for this season’s games and decide which outcome is more likely.

Spread

Spread markets are very popular in Baseball betting and they are also called “point spreads.” They are also called handicaps on most European platforms and they work by giving the underdog an advantage, which essentially handicaps the favorite team. The bookmaker chooses the number of points they believe the favorite team would win by and then they give that team a handicap.

For example, if you bet on the favorite to win, you will only win your bet if your team wins and their margin is greater than the point spread. If you bet on the underdog, you would win the wager if the underdog wins, if the game is a tie, or if the favorite team can’t beat the point spread.

Questions and Answers Regarding Yankees vs Rays Picks

When did the Yankees and Reys play against each other first?

The first game between the Yankees and the Rays was in 1998.

When was the last game between the Rays and the Yankees?

In the last game between the two teams, which was on the 14th of May 2021, the Reys won 9-1 in the AL Division Series.

When does betting on the Yankees vs Rays begin?

You can place bets on these teams as soon as bookmakers release the markets.

Do I need a bookmaker account to bet?

Yes, you do. If you don’t register and verify your account, you won’t be able to place bets on the bookie platform.

Can I bet with free credits on the Yankees vs Rays game?

Yes, you can.

Will there be promotions on the Yankees vs Rays games?

We can’t say for sure, but some bookmakers might release free bets or odds boost promotions for any of their games in the future. You would have to check the bookmaker platform to know for sure.

Will I be able to watch live streams of the Yankees vs Rays games on bookie platforms?

If the bookmaker in question provides live streaming to their customers and if they have a license to broadcast the event or they work with a broadcaster who is licensed. You will have to check on the bookmaker’s live streaming schedule to see if they will stream any MLB games, and if there is no schedule posted, you can always contact Customer Support.

Will I be able to place in-play bets?

That depends on the bookmaker you are registered with, and if they will provide in-play betting for the MLB regular-season games.

Which Bookies are the Best at Providing the Yankees vs Rays Picks?

When it comes to the best bookies to choose from the available options depend on your location. You should check out if one of the following bookmakers is available, and if multiple bookies operate in your state, you can read more about them and choose.

PointsBet

PointsBet is a world-renowned bookmaker, who was established recently. They provide two main services to their customers – fixed odds betting and PointsBetting. Betting on fixed-odds is the traditional sports betting offered by any other bookie, but PointsBetting is exclusive to this bookmaker. The more you are correct about your prediction, the more you will win – that’s the principle that PointsBetting works on.

BetMGM

BetMGM is one of the most popular names in sports betting and their platform provides many advantages, such as the exclusive betting features. Customers mostly enjoy using the cash-out and live streaming, but you can also benefit from their live scores and in-play betting. The platform is easy-to-navigate and they provide an attractive and competitive welcome bonus for new customers for both of their Sportsbook and Casino sections.

William Hill

William Hill is not a US-born bookie, but they are some of the best wherever they provide their services. You can check out the places that are available on their website because they have multiple land-based locations and online platforms. You can even download their mobile Sportsbook in some states. Their welcome offer provides you with a risk-free bet of up to $500 and they offer enough bonuses for existing customers.

FanDuel

FanDuel is one of the most popular and home-grown bookmakers in the US and they are available across many states. Their mobile Sportsbook is one of the best on the market and they also provide regular bonuses for existing customers in the form of odds boosts and insurance. You can also bet on Horse Racing on their separate Racing platform.

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