Via abc7ny.com
It is the finale of this three-game series between the AL East rivals, the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. After the Rays on a thriller in game one, 5-4, the Yankees followed by winning a one run game of their own, 3-2 to even up the series at a game a piece. Can the Yankees play spoiler at Tropicana Field or will the Rays come out on top and continue their historic start to the season?
Date: Sunday, May 7th, 2023
Time: 1:40 EST
Location: Tropicana Field, Saint Petersburg, Florida
Team Records: New York Yankees (18-16), Tampa Bay Rays (27-7)
Projected Starting Pitchers:
Gerrit Cole (5-0, 1.35 ERA) vs Josh Fleming (3.18 ERA)
What to Watch:
After a difficult stretch, the Yankees got a much needed win on Saturday courtesy of outfielder Harrison Bader who lifted the Yankees to a win in game two on Saturday with a two-run homer that evened up the series a game aside. For the finale, they will throw out Gerrit Cole who has been nothing but brilliant for the Yankees going undefeated in his first seven starts with the Yankees winning all of the games he pitched. Can they use that to their advantage against Tampa Bay? For the Rays, they will look for more dominant hitting by outfielder Randy Arozarena. Arozarena has had a nice series and a great start to his season hitting a home run in game one of the series making that now nine for the year for the young stud. Pitching wise, they will have the lefty Josh Fleming take the mound after leaving his previous start on May 2nd due to injury.
Game Prediction: New York Yankees 3, Tampa Bay Rays, 2
The Rays are clearly the better team, but as I mentioned before, the Yanks are 7-0 in Cole’s starts this season and that trend will continue. It is not going to be easy with the Yankees dealing injuries with players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton out for some time, but Cole can and will do enough to keep the offense in the game.
Odds Presented by Betfred Sportsbook:
Spread- New York Yankees -1.5 (+150) / Tampa Bay Rays- +1.5 (-185)
Moneyline- New York Yankees -120 / Tampa Bay Rays +100
Total- 7.5- Over (+100) / Under (-120)
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