Rays vs. Yankees prediction and odds for Tuesday, Aug. 1 (Back UNDER)
Can Carlos Rodón grow into his role after an injury plagued start to the year?
![Jul 26, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) pitches](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3288,h_1849,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/43/01h6pc6901eck82dbeyd.jpg)
The New York Yankees are hopeful that with Aaron Judge back in the lineup, the offense can get going. Regardless of Judge's presence, though, the team is also hoping that its banged up pitching staff can get on track.
Carlos Rodón has had a tough go through four starts this season after starting the year on the injured list, but will hope to get on track against a struggling Rays lineup that is off a dismal month of July at the plate. Tampa Bay will counter Rodón with Zach Eflin.
Both teams are battling in heated postseason races in the AL East and Wild Card standings and can use a win.
Here are the odds and our best bet:
Rays vs. Yankees odds, run line and total
Rays vs. Yankees prediction and pick
Rodón has not looked the part since coming off the injured list, posting a 5.75 ERA through four starts with a near even strikeout-to-walk ratio. However, he will face a sputtering Rays lineup that is fresh off a month in which it placed 26th in OPS.
The shine is off of the Rays' hot start, now second in the AL East and struggling at the plate, but the pitching staff remains elite. Eflin has been in strong form, pitching to a 3.64 ERA with an xERA of 3.12 as he boasts elite command, walking about one batter per nine innings. Despite worries that he would land on the injured list with a back issue, he's been cleared to start this one.
While the Yankees have placed Judge back into the lineup, the team is still lacking the depth to challenge someone like Eflin. On the year, the Yankees grade out as below average offense (21st in wRC+) and will struggle to give the reigning MVP necessary support.
If Rodón is limited in terms of workload, the Yankees are bolstered by a top five bullpen in terms of unit ERA. I believe we see both pitching staffs shine on Tuesday and this game goes under the total.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.