Tuesday’s MLB slate begins with Game 1 of a doubleheader between AL East rivals in what is also the start of a four-game series between the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (95-60) and New York Yankees (89-66) at Yankee Stadium.
The Rays enter Tuesday with the best record in the American League and a six-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. While New York is still in contention for the division crown, Tampa Bay is in a favorable position to clinch with just seven games remaining in the regular season for both teams. The good news is that both teams have already clinched a postseason berth, so it’s all about positioning now in the final week of the season.
Both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader are set to feature excellent starting pitching matchups, with Rays All-Star right-hander Nick Martinez and Yankees 2025 All-Star left-hander Carlos Rodón getting things started in Game 1. Martinez is 15-4 with a 2.94 ERA across 29 starts this season, while Rodón has posted a 6-3 record with a 2.95 ERA through 15 starts.
Rodón missed the beginning of the season while recovering from left elbow surgery and later missed a portion of the year due to left elbow inflammation, but he’s 2-1 with a 2.40 ERA in six starts since returning from his most recent stint on the injured list.
Take a look at Rays vs. Yankees predictions, picks, and more for Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.
Rays vs. Yankees Odds
The Yankees have lost three of their last four games, and the Rays hold a 6-3 advantage in the season series this year, but New York is still listed as a home favorite at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook for Tuesday afternoon’s series opener:
Rays vs. Yankees Predictions
The Rays have all but secured the No. 1 seed in the American League and the AL East title, while the Yankees will likely enter the playoffs with the top AL Wild Card spot. However, none of that has been officially clinched, meaning there’s still playoff positioning on the line.
With that said, head over to Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to get in on the early MLB action and check out our Rays vs. Yankees prediction below, which we came up with using baseball betting insights and trends from the Stats Hub:
Yankees vs. Rays Best Bet: Over 7.5 (+115)
The Rays and Yankees haven’t played each other since July 9, but they combined for 16 runs in their previous matchup. In fact, these two teams have combined to score roughly 7.7 runs per game across their nine matchups this season, with five of those games going over 7.5 runs.
Nick Martinez and Carlos Rodón are both extremely talented starting pitchers who are having plenty of success this season, but there’s also so much talent featured in both the Rays’ and Yankees’ lineups. It has happened four times between these two teams this year, but it’s not an easy task to shut down either of these offenses, no matter who the pitchers are.
The Stats Hub also notes that each of the Yankees’ last eight games against AL opponents has gone Over the total runs line.
- Yankees vs. Rays Total Pick for Sept. 22: Over 7.5 (+115)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for Rays vs. Yankees
Yandy Díaz hasn’t recorded a hit in any of his last five games, but he’s batting .292 this season and, more specifically, .382 against the Yankees in 2026. The Rays’ designated hitter is attracting the most action with his hits prop in the player prop markets heading into first pitch:
- Yandy Díaz – Over 0.5 Hits
- Cody Bellinger – Over 0.5 Hits
- Ben Rice – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Junior Caminero – Over 0.5 Hits
- Chandler Simpson – Over 0.5 Hits
Rays vs. Yankees Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for Game 1 of Tuesday’s Rays vs. Yankees doubleheader:
- The moneyline action is nearly split, with the Yankees drawing 53.2% of tickets but the Rays accounting for 56.1% of the money.
- Tampa Bay, however, is receiving more run line support with 62.8% of tickets and 59.4% of the money.
- The Over is the preferred play on the total, attracting 66% of tickets and 55% of the money.
Rays vs. Yankees Game Info
- 📍 Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
- 📅 Date: Tuesday, Sept. 22
- ⏰ First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Rays: Nick Martinez
- Yankees: Carlos Rodón
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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