The season is still young, as teams have roughly 75 games left to play in 2011, but the weekend set with the New York Yankees remains a huge one for the Tampa Bay Rays. <\/p>\n
MLB Gambling Online \u2013 Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Preview & Pick<\/strong> Tampa Bay Rays (48-39 through July 6)<\/strong> It\u2019s a chance to control their own destiny against a team that leads them by four games in the American League East through Wednesday.<\/p>\n Offensively, the Rays need someone to step up now that Matt Joyce has come back to Earth. Casey Kotchman is swinging a very hot stick, but not with power. Evan Longoria is hitting for power but mixing in ofer performances. Tampa\u2019s bats have to be better.<\/p>\n The Rays are pretty happy with their young pitching staff, however. Like any rookie, Jeremy Hellickson has to battle walks, but he has shown plenty of poise, tossing seven quality starts in his last eight tries.<\/p>\n New York Yankees (51-34 through July 6)<\/strong> The Yankees had lost three of four through Wednesday but rode a big winning streak before that, so, for the most part, they\u2019re chugging along. That they lead the majors in scoring and homers is no surprise, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop for their veteran pitching staff. Bartolo Colon continues to get it done, as does Freddy Garcia, who will start Friday night.<\/p>\n For Freddy, it\u2019s all been about pinpoint control. He has two strikeouts over his last two starts combined but didn\u2019t walk a batter over that stretch. He\u2019s throwing nothing but strikes right now. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Garcia is 8-2 over 15 career starts against Tampa but that stat doesn\u2019t mean too much. He was a different pitcher over most of his outings against the Rays in the past \u2013 and they were a different team.<\/p>\n Under is 7-2-1 in TB last 10 overall. I don\u2019t like this matchup for Hellickson at all. He walks too many guys and the Yankees are a patient, powerful team full of guys who wait for their pitch. When he has to throw a strike, Hellickson also isn\u2019t overpowering anyone right now. Garcia may not be perfect but he really hasn\u2019t had to be this season. He should do enough to help the Yankees win.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Friday, July 8, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>SUN, YES
\nTampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Yankees -145<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 9<\/strong>
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\nJeremy Hellickson (8-7, 3.21)<\/p>\n
\nFreddy Garcia (7-6, 3.13)<\/p>\n
\nUnder is 18-6-2 in TB last 26 Fri. games.
\nTB are 6-2 in their last 8 road games.
\nUnder is 7-1-1 in NYY last 9 overall.
\nUnder is 7-1-1 in NYY last 9 on grass.
\nNYY are 3-10 in their last 13 Fri. games.
\nOver is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in New York.
\nOver is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick:<\/h3>\n