Rays-Yankees Lines Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Yankee Stadium. The Rays will give the ball to starter Jeff Niemann in this one. Righthander Niemann is 2-3 this season with a 5.68 ERA. The Yankees will counter Niemann with Andy Pettitte. Lefthander Pettitte has a 3.82 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 160-moneyline favorites versus the Rays, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Carlos Pena belted a home run in the 10th inning to lift the Rays past the Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday, as +150 underdogs. That game's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (10). Grant Balfour collected the win in relief, and Troy Percival collected his fifth save with a scoreless 10th. Mark Teixeira had two hits and drove in three runs for the Yankees, who were -170 favorites. Phil Coke allowed the winning run and suffered the loss. Current streak: Tampa Bay has won 2 straight games. New York has lost 4 straight games. Team records: Tampa Bay: 13-16 SU New York: 13-14 SU Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 1-9 Before playing Boston are 5-5 After playing NY Yankees are 1-9 After a win are 3-7 New York most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Baltimore are 5-5 After playing Tampa Bay are 6-4 After a loss are 4-6 A few trends to consider: Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees NY Yankees are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay NY Yankees are 14-7 SU in their last 21 games at home NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home Next up: Tampa Bay at Boston, Friday, May 8 NY Yankees at Baltimore, Friday, May 8