ES 
NFL Picks 
MLB Picks 
NBA Picks 
NHL Picks 
Soccer Picks 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Top Handicapper 
Picks 
Rays Look to Unleash Power Once Again Against Yankees
The Tampa Bay Rays, long known for their strong pitching and defense, have recently added some serious power to their game. Near the bottom of the league in home runs for much of the season, the Rays have found their power swing, especially in recent games. As they continue their four-game series against the New York Yankees, they aim to keep this offensive momentum going.
Recent Performance
Power Surge
Since dropping to a 33-38 record on June 15, the Rays have flipped the script, going 16-11 in their last 27 games. During this stretch, they’ve blasted 37 of their 91 total home runs for the season. This includes a recent game where they matched their season high with four home runs, the second time they’ve done that this season. They’ve hit at least three homers in a game eight times this year, with six of those games coming since mid-June.
Saturday’s Game Highlights:
- Randy Arozarena: He was the star with his seventh career four-hit game, including two home runs. Over his last 17 games, Arozarena is hitting .308 and has been particularly hot against the Yankees, going 11-for-26 in his last seven games against them.
- Isaac Paredes and Alex Jackson: Paredes added another homer, while Jackson chipped in with a three-run shot, showcasing the depth of the Rays’ lineup.
Yankees’ Struggles
The Yankees have been in a rough patch, falling to 9-19 in their last 28 games since their 50th win of the season on June 14. Their offense has been inconsistent, and Saturday’s game highlighted these issues.
Saturday’s Game Issues:
- Offensive Woes: The Yankees went 0-for-20 with three baserunners against Rays’ starter Taj Bradley after Ben Rice’s leadoff double.
- Key Stats: They ended up with just five hits, scoring their only run in the ninth inning. They also grounded into three double plays and made 15 outs on the ground, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
- DJ LeMahieu: His struggles continued as he went 0-for-3, extending his hitless streak to 17 at-bats and batting just .177 on the season.
Pitching Matchup
Tampa Bay Rays
Shane Baz (0-1, 5.23 ERA):
- Baz, a promising young right-hander, has had his career slowed by injuries. He is two starts into his return from Tommy John surgery and an oblique injury.
- Recent Starts: Baz returned on July 5, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings against the Texas Rangers. In his following start, he gave up three runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Yankees.
- Career vs. Yankees: In three career starts against the Yankees, Baz has a 3.86 ERA with no decisions, allowing five runs and a .239 batting average against.
New York Yankees
Marcus Stroman (7-4, 3.51 ERA):
- Stroman has hit a rough patch in his past five starts, with a 5.68 ERA during this stretch. However, he showed signs of improvement in his latest outing.
- Recent Start: On July 10, Stroman allowed one run on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Rays, in a game the Yankees won 2-1.
- Career vs. Rays: Stroman has a 6-8 record with a 4.29 ERA in 18 career starts against Tampa Bay.
Game Implications
The Rays are looking to keep their winning streak alive and further solidify their standing in the league. Continuing their power surge against the Yankees will be crucial for their momentum. On the other side, the Yankees are looking to find consistency and turn their season around. The pitching matchup between Shane Baz and Marcus Stroman will be key in determining the outcome of this game.
Conclusion
As the Rays continue their series against the Yankees, they aim to keep their power surge going and climb back over .500. Key players like Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes have been crucial to their recent success. Meanwhile, the Yankees are struggling offensively and looking for ways to break their slump. The outcome of this game could significantly impact both teams’ trajectories for the rest of the season.
