First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET
Venue: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
Venue & Weather
Yankee Stadium is a power‑friendly park, especially to right field. Covers lists a weather forecast for the matchup, though no specific conditions were provided in the snippet. Late‑May Bronx conditions typically feature mild temperatures (60s–70s) and moderate winds — and wind direction can meaningfully influence home‑run rates here.
Team Records & Statistical Profile
Tampa Bay Rays (33–15)
- Road Record: 14–10
- Run Production: 4.83 runs scored / 4.00 allowed
- O/U Record: 25–22
- Betting ROI: +1406 units (excellent)
New York Yankees (30–21)
- Home Record: 16–8
- Run Production: 4.90 scored / 3.59 allowed
- O/U Record: 22–27
- Betting ROI: –120 units
Recent Team Form
- Tampa Bay has been one of MLB’s hottest teams, winning consistently behind elite pitching and timely hitting.
- New York enters the matchup after being shut out 2–0 by Toronto on May 21.
- Gerrit Cole’s season debut adds emotional and competitive weight for the Yankees.
Injury Report
Rays Injuries (Covers)
- Yandy Díaz (DH) — Day‑to‑day, hand injury (May 19)
- Ben Williamson (2B) — 10‑day IL, back strain
- Cole Sulser (RP) — 15‑day IL, back
- Jake Fraley (RF) — 10‑day IL, groin/hernia
- Ryan Pepiot (SP) — 60‑day IL, hip surgery (out for season)
- Edwin Uceta (RP) — 60‑day IL, shoulder impingement
Yankees Injuries
No Yankees injuries were listed in the search results.
Starting Pitching Matchup
TB — Nathaniel Martinez (RHP)
- 4–1, 1.51 ERA, 35 K
- Has already beaten the Yankees this season (April 11, 2026), allowing 4.2 IP, 4 ER in a 5–4 Rays win.
- Excellent command profile and elite early‑season run prevention.
NYY — Gerrit Cole (RHP)
- Making his 2026 season debut.
- Historically dominant at Yankee Stadium.
- Rays hitters with significant history vs. Cole include:
- Yandy Díaz: .318 AVG, 2 HR, 6 RBI in 44 AB (0.875 OPS)
- Cedric Mullins: .323 AVG, HR in 31 AB (0.775 OPS)
- Taylor Walls: .000 AVG in 8 AB (0.200 OPS)
Key Batter vs. Pitcher Matchups
Yankees vs. Martinez
- Cody Bellinger: .273 AVG in 11 AB
- Jazz Chisholm Jr.: .143 AVG in 7 AB
- Paul Goldschmidt: .286 AVG in 7 AB
- Aaron Judge: .250 AVG, HR, 2 RBI in 8 AB (0.958 OPS)
- Austin Wells: .333 AVG, HR in 3 AB (1.666 OPS)
Rays vs. Cole
- Yandy Díaz: .318 AVG, 2 HR, 6 RBI in 44 AB
- Cedric Mullins: .323 AVG, HR in 31 AB
- Richie Palacios: .200 AVG in 5 AB
- Taylor Walls: .000 AVG in 8 AB
Series History
- Last 10 meetings: 5–5 split.
- Over/Under in last 10: 7–2–1 to the Over.
- Recent matchups in 2026:
- Apr 12: TB 5–4
- Apr 11: TB 5–4 (Martinez vs. Fried)
- Apr 10: TB 5–3
The Rays swept the April series in Tampa, winning all three games by one or two runs.
Betting Trends
- Rays: 33–15 overall, strong ROI, consistent offense.
- Yankees: 30–21, elite pitching (3.59 RA), but inconsistent scoring.
- Head‑to‑Head O/U: 7–2–1 to the Over in last 10.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 8
New York Yankees – 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 21, 2026
