Did the Tampa Bay Rays just spontaneously decide that they want back in the American League East race? <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Rays vs. Yankees Preview & Pick<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Saturday, August 13, 2011 Tampa Bay Rays (63-54 through August 11)<\/strong> Through Thursday, they\u2019d won four straight, having swept the Kansas City Royals, and seven of nine overall. <\/p>\n The Rays\u2019 pitching has obviously been a big reason for their success; they\u2019ve allowed one earned run or fewer in three of their last four games. But some bats are coming around, too. Rookie Desmond Jennings has been a massive addition to the lineup, batting .333 with three homers, three triples, four doubles, 12 RBI and eight steals in 19 games. He looks like the total package.<\/p>\n The Rays\u2019 other top rookie, Jeremy Hellickson, takes the hill in the Bronx on Saturday. His strikeout rate has been surprisingly low but opponents are batting just .208 off him. Hellickson has turned in eight quality starts in his last 10 outings. He beat the Yankees on July 19, holding them to two runs in seven innings.<\/p>\n New York Yankees (71-45 through August 11)<\/strong> The New York Yankees continue to do their thing, winning seven of their last 10 as they do battle with the Boston Red Sox. They continue to swing heavy sticks, leading the majors in homers. Alex Rodriguez is due back from injury soon but the Bronx Bombers haven\u2019t really needed him. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Curtis Granderson\u2019s numbers look like vintage A-Rod; he leads the team with 32 homers and 93 RBI but has also scored 105 runs and stolen 22 bases. He\u2019s making a real run at the AL MVP.<\/p>\n The big question for the Yankees: can their rotation hold up in the playoff series opposite Lester\/Beckett or Weaver\/Haren or other star-studded staffs? C.C. Sabathia is a rock but, with respect to Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, New York desperately needs Phil Hughes to step up.<\/p>\n He\u2019ll get his shot on Saturday. Hughes been better in the second half but has still left much to be desired, posting a 4.76 ERA since the All-Star break.<\/p>\n Over is 6-2 in TB last 8 road games. To me, the best betting strategy is to make Hughes prove he\u2019s worth a later bet. He\u2019s winless with a 9.16 ERA at Yankee Stadium this season. Frightening. I\u2019d steer clear of him until he shows he\u2019s figuring things out.<\/p>\n
\nVenue: <\/strong>Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FOX
\nTampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: NY -135<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 9.5 -115<\/strong>
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\nJeremy Hellickson (10-7, 3.05)<\/p>\n
\nPhi Hughes (2-4, 7.11)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nOver is 6-2 in TB last 8 on grass.
\nOver is 5-2-2 in TB last 9 Sat. games.
\nNYY are 24-9 in their last 33 Sat. games.
\nNYY are 10-4 in their last 14 overall.
\nOver is 20-9-2 in NYY last 31 Sat. games.
\nOver is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in New York.
\nTB are 31-65 in the last 96 meetings in New York.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n