Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Picks and Predictions July 10th 2024

Rays’ Zach Eflin looks to maintain dominance of Yankees

Few pitchers have managed to dominate the New York Yankees and their star player, Aaron Judge, the way Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin has. As he prepares to take the mound on Wednesday night in the middle game of a three-game series, Eflin aims to extend his remarkable record against one of MLB’s most storied franchises.

Zach Eflin’s Dominance Against the Yankees

Zach Eflin has established himself as a formidable adversary for the Yankees, boasting a 3-1 record in six career starts with a stellar 1.54 ERA against them. This ERA is the second-lowest by an active pitcher with at least 25 innings pitched against New York, trailing only Toronto Blue Jays’ Chris Bassitt, who has an ERA of 0.82 against the Yankees.

In a notable performance on April 20, Eflin tossed six shutout innings against New York, although he did not factor in the decision. The game remained scoreless until Tampa Bay secured a 2-0 victory in 10 innings. Over his past three starts against the Yankees dating back to August 1, Eflin has allowed just two runs over 18 innings, striking out 22 batters while issuing only one walk.

Eflin’s Strategy Against Aaron Judge

Eflin has also effectively neutralized Aaron Judge, the 2022 American League MVP. Judge has struggled against Eflin, going just 1-for-12 with eight strikeouts, including six consecutive whiffs dating back to August 25.

“Make sure he doesn’t make contact with the ball,” Eflin said, summarizing his straightforward approach to facing Judge. This simple yet effective strategy has played a significant role in his success against one of baseball’s most feared sluggers.

Recent Performance and Run Support

Eflin’s most recent start saw him win against the Kansas City Royals, despite giving up six runs (five earned) and seven hits over five-plus innings. His performance was bolstered by the Rays’ strong offensive support, resulting in a 10-8 victory.

The Yankees’ Current Struggles

The Yankees are currently facing a tough stretch, having lost six of their last seven games and 17 of their last 23, which has put them three games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. Their recent 5-3 loss in the series opener against the Rays has only added to their woes.

“Thankfully, we got out of the gates really strong,” said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. “Hopefully, that cushion will allow us to work through this. Hopefully, sooner than later, because it’s gone long enough, but it’s been a tough stretch for us.”

Cashman indicated that the team is exploring various options as they approach the July 30 trade deadline. “We definitely have areas to improve upon, and we’ll do our best to do so,” he added.

Comparing Eflin with Marcus Stroman

On the opposing side, Yankees’ starter Marcus Stroman has struggled recently. Stroman (7-4, 3.58 ERA) took the loss in his latest outing against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing five runs and five hits over five innings in an 8-4 setback. Over his past four starts, Stroman is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA.

Stroman has made 17 career starts against the Rays, holding a 6-8 record with a 4.59 ERA. He has yet to face Tampa Bay this season, adding an element of uncertainty to Wednesday’s matchup.

Conclusion

As Zach Eflin prepares to face the Yankees once again, his past performances and strategic approach make him a formidable opponent. His ability to consistently shut down the Yankees and neutralize Aaron Judge highlights his significance to the Tampa Bay Rays’ success. Meanwhile, the Yankees will look to break out of their slump and turn their season around with the trade deadline approaching. The middle contest of this three-game series promises to be a captivating encounter between a dominant pitcher and a team desperately seeking a win.

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