Venue: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, New York
First Pitch: 1:35 PM ET
Broadcast: YES Network, Bally Sports Sun, MLB.TV
The Rays and Yankees close out a marquee AL East weekend series with Tampa Bay looking to continue its torrid start and New York trying to avoid dropping another home series. With Drew Rasmussen back in full form and Ryan Weathers trying to stabilize an inconsistent Yankees rotation, this matchup leans toward pitching early and fireworks late — especially in a hitter-friendly Bronx environment.
Venue & Weather
Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
Weather Forecast (May 24):
- Temperature: 74–77°F
- Wind: 11–15 mph out to right field
- Humidity: 55%
- Rain: <10%
- Impact:
- Boost for left-handed power hitters (short porch in right)
- Warm air increases carry
- Rasmussen’s fly-ball tendencies could be tested
Injury Report
Tampa Bay Rays
- Wander Franco — OUT (administrative leave)
- Randy Arozarena — Active
- Yandy Díaz — Active
- Shane McClanahan — OUT (Tommy John)
- Pete Fairbanks — Day-to-day (shoulder)
New York Yankees
- Aaron Judge — Active
- Juan Soto — Active
- Anthony Rizzo — Day-to-day (back)
- Gerrit Cole — OUT (elbow)
- Jonathan Loáisiga — OUT (elbow)
Team Records & Recent Form
Tampa Bay Rays (33–15)
- Last 10: 7–3
- Trend: Elite pitching, timely hitting
- Strength: Rotation depth, bullpen dominance
- Weakness: Middle-of-order inconsistency without Franco
New York Yankees (30–22)
- Last 10: 5–5
- Trend: Offense streaky, pitching uneven
- Strength: Top-of-order power (Judge/Soto)
- Weakness: Back-end rotation, bullpen fatigue
Probable Pitching Matchup
Tampa Bay — RHP Drew Rasmussen (4–1, 2.88 ERA)
- Profile:
- Cutter/slider-heavy
- Generates weak contact
- Excellent command
- Splits:
- Vs RHB: .214 AVG
- Vs LHB: .238 AVG
- Road ERA: 3.10
- Matchup Notes:
- Must keep the ball down vs Soto and Judge
- Yankee Stadium’s right-field jet stream is a concern
New York — LHP Ryan Weathers (3–4, 4.76 ERA)
- Profile:
- Fastball/slider lefty
- Inconsistent command
- Vulnerable to right-handed power
- Splits:
- Vs RHB: .289 AVG
- Vs LHB: .241 AVG
- Home ERA: 5.02
- Matchup Notes:
- Rays’ right-handed bats (Díaz, Paredes, Mead) match up well
- Tampa Bay is patient — Weathers’ walk rate could be an issue
Key Player Matchups
1. Juan Soto (NYY) vs. Drew Rasmussen
- Soto thrives vs right-handed cutters
- Rasmussen must avoid middle-in locations Advantage: Yankees
2. Yandy Díaz (TB) vs. Ryan Weathers
- Díaz crushes left-handed pitching
- Weathers’ fastball shape plays into his swing path Advantage: Tampa Bay
3. Aaron Judge (NYY) vs. Rasmussen
- Judge has been heating up
- Rasmussen’s slider must stay sharp Advantage: Even
4. Isaac Paredes (TB) vs. Weathers
- Paredes feasts on lefties and pulls the ball well Advantage: Tampa Bay
Series History
- 2025 Season: Rays won 8–5
- 2026 Season: Rays lead 2–1 entering Sunday
- At Yankee Stadium (last 12): Rays lead 7–5
- Trend: Tampa Bay has consistently out-pitched New York in recent years
Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Rays
- Rays are 9–3 in last 12 road games
- Under is 6–2 in last 8 Rasmussen starts
- Rays are 7–2 in last 9 vs Yankees
New York Yankees
- Yankees are 4–6 in last 10
- Over is 5–2 in last 7 Yankees home games
- Weathers starts: Yankees are 2–5
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 7.5
New York Yankees – 123
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, May 23, 2026
