he Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees are set to face off in an exciting American League East matchup on May 2, 2025, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast live on YES Network and Bally Sports Sun.
Starting Pitchers
New York Yankees – Max Fried (5-0, 1.19 ERA)
Fried has been dominant this season, ranking third in MLB in ERA (1.19). He has allowed two runs or fewer in all five of his April starts and is coming off a six-inning shutout performance against Toronto.
Tampa Bay Rays – Ryan Pepiot (2-3, 4.24 ERA)
Pepiot has shown flashes of brilliance, delivering two straight quality starts. In his last outing, he allowed just three hits across six innings, securing his second win of the season.
Team Form and Key Players
New York Yankees
The Yankees have been one of the best offensive teams in MLB, leading the league in home runs (53) and slugging percentage (.478).
Key Players:
- Aaron Judge – Batting .427, leading MLB in home runs (10) and RBIs (32).
- Carlos Rodón – Leads the Yankees’ pitching staff with 52 strikeouts.
- Trent Grisham – Provides depth in the outfield and has contributed key hits.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have struggled offensively, ranking 11th in batting average (.248) and 22nd in home runs (26).
Key Players:
- Jonathan Aranda – Leads the team with a .308 batting average.
- Junior Caminero – Has hit six home runs, providing power in the lineup.
- Brandon Lowe – Leads the Rays with 15 RBIs.
Key Matchups and Strategies
- Fried vs. Rays’ Offense – Fried has been nearly untouchable, and Tampa Bay will need to be at its best to challenge his command.
- Pepiot vs. Yankees’ Power Hitters – New York leads MLB in home runs, making Pepiot’s ability to limit long balls crucial.
- Bullpen Battle – Both teams have had inconsistent relief pitching, making late-game execution critical.
- Home vs. Away Performance – The Yankees have been strong at home, while the Rays have struggled on the road.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 8.5
New York Yankees – 258
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 1, 2025
