The New York Yankees possess a 1.5-game lead over the Oakland Athletics for the American League’s top wild-card spot with six contests left on the schedule. The Yanks will look to create some breathing room when they collide with the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida on Tuesday.
It’s Severino day for Yankees bettors
Luis Severino and Jake Faria will get the start for the Yankees and Rays, respectively. Severino (18-8, 3.38 ERA) produced his second straight one-run performance Wednesday to notch his first win since August 26 in a 10-1 blowout over the Boston Red Sox. The 24-year-old has a 2-1 mark with a 3.54 ERA in three starts vs Tampa Bay this season, although he surrendered season highs in runs (seven) and hits (11) over five frames of a 7-6 setback on July 23. The hurler is 7-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 13 career meetings with the Rays.
Faria (4-3, 5.17) is making his first start since August 15 when he limited the Yankees to one run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 3.1 innings in a no-decision. The 25-year-old has made five relief appearances while allowing six runs and 12 hits across 11.2 innings without being involved in a decision. Faria is 0-0 with a 5.23 ERA in three career starts vs the Bronx Bombers.
Is another UNDER in store tonight?
When the Yankees and Rays get together, low-scoring affairs tend to follow. In the last six matchups between the AL East clubs, the UNDER is 6-0 with an average combined score of five runs. The UNDER is also 6-1 in Faria’s last seven starts, while five of the Yankees’ past seven road games have gone below the closing total, with an average combined score of 6.9 runs. Based on those trends alone, expect the UNDER to get plenty of traction at sportsbooks.
Rays are getting the job done vs the division at home
Tampa Bay’s success at home against division rivals has been something to behold. The Rays are 7-1 SU in their past eight home games vs AL East squads. At 87-69 and with the season coming to a close, the Rays certainly haven’t lost any motivation. Tampa Bay is also an excellent wager when coming off a loss, evidenced by the Rays going 8-0 SU in their past eight when losing the previous tilt.
Why I’m on the UNDER
Despite Severino’s recent poor showing against the Rays, his career numbers vs Tampa Bay should rightly inspire confidence in UNDER bettors. Those stats coupled with the aforementioned UNDER trends lead me to believe this one has a good chance of going below the total in the Sunshine State tonight.