First Pitch: 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, Florida
Surface: Artificial turf
Capacity: ~25,000
Roof: Fully enclosed (no weather impact)
Injury Report
New York Yankees (50–41)
- Aaron Judge (OF): Available – minor rest day earlier in week; full go.
- Giancarlo Stanton (DH): Out – hamstring strain; 2–3 weeks.
- Anthony Rizzo (1B): Questionable – back tightness; game‑time decision.
- Jonathan Loáisiga (RP): Out – elbow inflammation.
- Team Status: Lineup strong but missing Stanton’s power; bullpen slightly thinned.
Tampa Bay Rays (53–36)
- Wander Franco (SS): Out – wrist surgery; long‑term.
- Brandon Lowe (2B): Probable – quad tightness; expected to play.
- Pete Fairbanks (RP): Available – cleared after shoulder fatigue.
- Team Status: Core lineup intact aside from Franco; bullpen depth restored.
Team Records & Recent Form
New York Yankees
- Record: 50–41 (3rd in AL East)
- Last 10 Games: 6–4
- Road Record: 23–22
- Run Differential: +34
- Recent Trend: Offense inconsistent but pitching stabilizing with Cole back.
Tampa Bay Rays
- Record: 53–36 (2nd in AL East)
- Last 10 Games: 7–3
- Home Record: 28–15
- Run Differential: +48
- Recent Trend: Strong pitching, opportunistic offense, elite bullpen form.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Gerrit Cole – RHP, Yankees
- 2026 Stats: 3.12 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 112 K, 28 BB
- Last 5 Starts: 3–1, 2.67 ERA
- Strengths: Four‑seam velocity, slider command, elite strikeout ability.
- Weaknesses: Occasional early‑inning home run issues.
- Matchup Note: Rays struggle vs high‑velocity right‑handers; Cole has dominated Tampa historically.
Shane McClanahan – LHP, Rays
- 2026 Stats: 3.28 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 124 K, 32 BB
- Last 5 Starts: 2–2, 3.45 ERA
- Strengths: Power lefty, elite changeup, strong home splits.
- Weaknesses: Occasional command lapses vs right‑handed power bats.
- Matchup Note: Yankees’ right‑handed core (Judge, Torres, Verdugo) matches up well.
Key Player Matchups
1. Aaron Judge (NYY) vs. Shane McClanahan (TB)
Judge has a career OPS over .900 vs lefties. McClanahan must avoid middle‑in fastballs.
2. Gleyber Torres (NYY) vs. Rays Bullpen
Torres historically hits Tampa well, especially late‑inning relievers.
3. Randy Arozarena (TB) vs. Gerrit Cole
Arozarena’s aggressive approach can work against Cole’s fastball, but Cole has struck him out 7 times in 12 career PA.
4. Yandy Díaz (TB) vs. Yankees Pitching
Díaz’s elite contact skills challenge New York’s strikeout‑heavy staff.
Series History
- 2026 Season Series: Rays lead 4–3
- 2025 Season Series: Rays won 10–9
- At Tropicana Field (last 20 games): Rays lead 12–8 Tampa’s home dominance is real, but Cole has pitched well in this building.
Betting Trends
New York Yankees
- 6–4 in last 10 games
- Under has hit in 5 of last 7 road games
- Cole starts: Yankees 11–5 last 16
- Yankees are 4–1 in last 5 games vs left‑handed starters
Tampa Bay Rays
- 7–3 in last 10 games
- Rays are 8–2 in last 10 home games
- Under has hit in 6 of last 9 Rays games
- McClanahan starts: Rays 9–7 this season
GAME ODDS
New York Yankees 7
Tampa Bay Rays – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, July 7, 2026
