New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays 5/26/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

AL East Division rivals will square off on Thursday night, when the New York Yankees invade Tropicana Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees (31-13) have won 14 of their first 20 road games and own the best overall record in the majors. Last night, New York OF Aaron Judge doubled and scored a run during a 2-0 home victory versus Baltimore.

Twenty-seven year old southpaw Nestor Cortes (3-1 1.80 ERA) is making a strong push for All-Star consideration. The Yankees have won Cortes’ last three starts and he has allowed just four runs over his last 20 plus frames.

The Tampa Bay Rays are six games above .500 at home and trail the first place Yankees by 4.5 games. On Wednesday, Tampa Bay erupted for five runs in the first inning and held on late for a 5-4 home victory versus Miami. SP Dennis Rasmussen (5-1) allowed three runs in five innings to earn the win for the Rays, who improved to 26-17 on the year.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash has yet to name a starting pitcher for this game. The Rays have plenty of quality options on a staff that ranks fourth in the majors with a 3.31 team ERA.