New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 5/2/25, 4:03 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 1/13/26 at 9:47 AM in MLB Picks

After getting swept at home by the Kansas City Royals, the Tampa Bay Rays will try to get back on the right side of the scoreboard today when they travel to New York to face the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Fans can follow the action on the MLB Network once the game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. EST.

Most teams prefer to play at home, but the road may be just where the Rays need to be. Before heading home for the series vs. Kansas City, the Rays had won five in a row on the road (two vs. Arizona in extra innings and a series sweep of San Diego). The most significant difference between how they played during those games, compared to their last homestand, is that there was no offense. They didn’t have a ton during that winning streak, but it was enough to get the win with the pitching staff playing well.

Of course, containing the Yankees' bats at Yankee Stadium is easier said than done. Tampa Bay is expected to start Ryan Pepiot. He got his second win of the season in his last outing, vs. San Diego (4-1), but lost his start prior to that vs. the Yankees (0-4). New York is handing the ball to Max Fried. Fried is 5-0 on the year with a 1.19 ERA. He shut the Rays out on April 20, pitching 7 2/3 innings of two-hit ball.