Yankees at Rays 8/7/20 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 08/06/2020 at 11:19 PM ET

AL East Division rivals will clash on Friday night, when the New York Yankees invade Tropicana Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees have won nine of their first 12 games and are the only team with a winning record within the division. On Thursday, New York SP Jordan Montgomery (1-1) was tagged for five runs in four innings during a 5-4 road loss against Philadelphia.

Thirty-one year old righty Masahiro Tanaka (0-0 3.38 ERA) will make his second start of the season for the Yankees. Last time out, Tanaka gave up for hits and two runs while recording just eight outs during a 5-2 victory versus Boston.

The Tampa Bay Rays were predicted by many to compete with New York for the division title, but have lost seven of their first 12 games. On Wednesday, Tampa Bay managed just four hits and struck out 11 times during a 5-0 home loss versus Boston. SP Ryan Yarbrough (0-2) surrendered five runs across five frames and took the loss for the Rays.

2018 Cy Young Award winner (0-0 5.40 ERA) will take the ball for the Rays in the series opener. Through his first five innings of work, Snell has given up seven hits and struck out nine batters.

New York RP Aroldis Chapman (COVID-19) is not expected to be activated anytime soon according to manager Aaron Boone. Through 12 games, New York ranks 1st in OPS and 7th in runs scored. Tampa Bay counters with an offense that ranks 22nd in OPS and 16th in runs scored. Take the under in the opener. Final Score Prediction, New York Yankees win 3-2.

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