by Rod Pearson
Monday, Aug 18, 2025
Game Time: 7:35 pm ET, Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: YES, FDSSUN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Yankees -137, Rays +112; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Yankees -135, Rays +115; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Yankees -135, Rays +115; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Season Record
New York Yankees: 67-57 (3rd place, AL East)
Tampa Bay Rays: 61-64 (4th place, AL East)
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Recent Form
New York Yankees: 7-3 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays: 5-5 last 10
New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Analysis
The Yankees are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the St Louis Cardinals 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 67-57 record overall and have a road record of 30-32. This is the series opener of a 2-game series with the Rays on Tuesday and they have Monday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .776 OPS. Will Warren was their starting pitcher on Sunday while Carlos Rodón is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 12-7 with a 3.25 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 ER, 0 HR, and 2 BB with 5 SO on 1 hit through 7 IP against the Minnesota Twins.
The Rays are entering this series off a loss and won their 3-game series against the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 61-64 record overall and have a home record of 32-30. This is the 1st game of a 2-game series with the Yankees on Tuesday and they have Monday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 17th in the MLB with a .711 OPS. Ryan Pepiot was their starting pitcher on Sunday while Shane Baz is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 8-9 with a 4.93 ERA this season. His team lost 7 of their last 8 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 0 homers, and 2 walks with 7 strikeouts on 6 hits through 7 innings pitched against the Athletics.
Yankees vs Rays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Yankees listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Yankees have looked good in their games this season with their 67-57 record overall which has them right in the middle of the AL East and in the Wild Card race. They haven't been a great road team though with their 30-32 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Rays haven't looked good in their games this season with their 61-64 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the AL East. They have looked better in their own ballpark though with their 32-30 home record this year. They haven't looked great lately though, going 5-5 in their last 10 games, while the Yankees are 7-3 in their last 10 and have been starting to get hot again. They also have the better pitching matchup in this one and can take advantage of that. Rodon is on the mound for the Yankees in this one and he has looked great this season. He is 12-7 with a 3.25 ERA and hasn't been giving up many runs all year. He is coming off another good start in which he gave up 1 earned run, something that has been a common theme for him, and the team has won 2 games in a row now with him starting too. The Rays are going with Baz in this one and he hasn't looked great this season. He is 8-9 with a 4.93 ERA and the team hasn't been having a lot of success with him lately. He is coming off another bad start in which he gave up 4 earned runs and the team has lost 7 of their last 8 games with him starting too. The Yankees are going to make him pay here since they do have one of the best offenses in the MLB, all signs point to the Yankees in this one getting hot now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Yankees to win this game.
Yankees Rays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Tuesday, August 19, 2025 (7:35 pm ET start time) is Yankees 5 Rays 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
New York Yankees: 250-211 (-30.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 187-148 (-41.9 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 62-75 (-29 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 65-40 UNDER on the road after 3 or more consecutive road games.
Tampa Bay Rays: 130-105 (+10.4 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. 59-49 (+4.6 units) on the moneyline against left-handed starters. 74-71 (+6.9 units) on the moneyline vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season. 9-4 UNDER revenging a same season 3 game sweep at the hands of their opponents.
Key Injuries
New York Yankees: A. Rosario (3B) Ten Day IL - Joint. A. Slater (LF) Ten Day IL - Hamstring. J. Loaisiga (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Back. C. Schmidt (SP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. F. Cruz (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Oblique. R. Yarbrough (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Oblique. O. Cabrera (3B) Sixty Day IL - Ankle. J. Cousins (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Cole (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Tampa Bay Rays: J. Lowe (RF) Day To Day - Oblique. T. Walls (SS) Ten Day IL - Groin. J. DeLuca (CF) Ten Day IL - Hamstring. J. Aranda (1B) Ten Day IL - Wrist. S. Fairchild (RF) Ten Day IL - Oblique. H. Bigge (RP) Sixty Day IL - Lat. R. Palacios (LF) Sixty Day IL - Knee. M. Rodriguez (RP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. S. McClanahan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Triceps. A. Faedo (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. N. Lavender (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“I thought the at-bats were, again, really good today. Just the value of putting the ball in play there at the end, taking advantage of the mistake. Good way to finish up into an off-day.” - Aaron Boone after his team’s win against the Cardinals in their game on Sunday.
“I’m glad we were able to get to .500. I think we would all agree that we needed to do better and get more wins. We’re ready to go home.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the Giants in their game on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
New York Yankees
Trent Grisham (L) CF
Ben Rice (L) C
Aaron Judge (R) DH
Cody Bellinger (L) RF
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Jasson Domínguez (S) LF
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
José Caballero (R) SS
Tampa Bay Rays
Chandler Simpson (L) LF
Yandy Díaz (R) DH
Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
Junior Caminero (R) 3B
Jake Mangum (S) RF
Ha-Seong Kim (R) SS
Hunter Feduccia (L) C
Everson Pereira (R) CF
Bob Seymour (L) 1B
Statistical Leaders
New York Yankees
Batting Average: Amed Rosario (.429)
Hits: Aaron Judge (137)
Home Runs: Aaron Judge (39)
RBI: Aaron Judge (91)
Stolen Bases: Jazz Chisholm (21)
Wins: Max Fried (13)
Saves: Devin Williams (17)
ERA: Adam Ottavino (0.00)
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Richie Palacios (.750)
Hits: Yandy Díaz (133)
Home Runs: Junior Caminero (35)
RBI: Junior Caminero (85)
Stolen Bases: José Caballero (34)
Wins: Drew Rasmussen (10)
Saves: Pete Fairbanks (22)
ERA: Connor Seabold (1.35)
Managers:
New York Yankees: Aaron Boone (8th season)
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (11th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
