The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees will play a doubleheader in the Bronx on Tuesday to begin their penultimate series of the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season.
With a six-game lead in the American League East, Tampa Bay can clinch the division title with just one win on Tuesday. New York has secured a wild-card spot and will almost certainly host rival Boston in the opening round of the playoffs.
With the nightcap set for 7:05 pm ET on TBS, it's time to break down the matchup and discuss the best bets to make.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees betting picks and predictions
Tampa Bay Rays ML (+115)
This is effectively a toss-up, so the value is on Tampa Bay as a plus-money underdog. And why not?
The Rays have been the best team in the AL East for most of the season. They are in especially red-hot form right now, with eight wins in their last nine games and 12 in their last 15.
The home team is sending Drew Rasmussen to the mound on Tuesday evening. Rasmussen is 15-5 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 163-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 165.1 innings of work. Across 19.0 innings in three September appearances, the right-hander has yielded only two runs and two walks while striking out 15 batters. He has allowed more than two runs in a start just once since July 9.
There is no denying that Max Fried toeing the rubber for the home team levels the playing field. It should be noted though, that New York lost Fried's only previous outing against Tampa Bay this season on April 11 via a 5-4 decision in 10 innings after the 32-year-old allowed three runs in 8.0 innings.
Under 6.5 (+100)
Fried has been borderline unhittable of late. The southpaw has not surrendered more than a single run in any of his last seven appearances. He most recently took the mound a week ago against Minnesota, firing 7.0 innings of shutout baseball with six hits allowed and six strikeouts, while allowing zero walks.
As if the starting pitchers in this matchup are not dominant enough, one of the best bullpens in Major League Baseball will be on display. That's right; New York ranks second in that department with a 3.14 mark (no other club aside from Boston registers at better than 3.39). Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league with a 4.01 bullpen ERA.
This could also be an entirely meaningless game for both clubs. If Tampa Bay takes the opening act of the twin bill, it will clinch the division crown. Regardless, the Rays will wrap up the East soon, and the Yankees are, for all intents and purposes, locked into the No. 1 wild-card spot. As such, it would be no surprise if some of each team's top hitters get the night off.
A total of 6.5 is rarely enticing for an Under bet, but in this particular situation it's hard to see how more than a handful of runs can be scored.
Drew Rasmussen Over 5.5 strikeouts (+100)
Rasmussen is averaging right around one strikeout per inning for his 2026 campaign and has exceeded this quota in two of his last four starts.
The Yankees' current lineup is 11-for-80 lifetime against the right-hander with 27 strikeouts compared to just five walks.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees odds
Tampa Bay Rays | +115 |
New York Yankees | -135 |
Run Line | TB +1.5 (-210) / NYY -1.5 (+175) |
Total | Over 6.5 (-120) / Under 6.5 (+100) |
Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees player props
Player Home Run Odds
Junior Caminero (TB) | +430 |
Yandy Diaz (TB) | +800 |
Jonathan Aranda (TB) | +800 |
Ben Rice (NYY) | +350 |
Spencer Jones (TB) | +450 |
Luis Garcia (TB) | +480 |
Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees team news
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays will probably get an extended outing from Rasmussen, and that is exactly what they need with relievers Tyler Wells, Garrett Clevinger and Manuel Rodriguez all on the 15-day injured list.
New York Yankees
Second baseman Jazz Chisolm Jr. (thumb) has not played since September 8. Manager Aaron Boone said that Chisolm could be activated on Tuesday. Right fielder Aaron Judge remains on the 10-day IL because of a strained calf.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
