The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees are set to face off in an American League East showdown on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees hold a 4-1 advantage in the season series, while the Rays aim to snap a four-game losing streak and get back on track.
Game Details
- Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
- Start Time: 1:05 p.m. ET
- TV Broadcast: MLB Network, YES Network, Bally Sports Sun
- Radio: WFAN (Yankees), WDAE (Rays)
Team Breakdown
New York Yankees (19-13, 2nd in AL East)
The Yankees enter this matchup with five wins in their last seven games, fueled by Aaron Judge’s offensive dominance. Judge leads the team with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .430 batting average, making him one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. Paul Goldschmidt has also been heating up, going 14-for-39 with two home runs in his last 10 games.
Key Strengths:
- Power Hitting – The Yankees lead the AL with 54 home runs this season.
- Strong Home Record – New York is 11-5 at Yankee Stadium in 2025.
- Elite On-Base Percentage – The Yankees rank first in MLB with a .351 OBP.
Key Weaknesses:
- Injury Concerns – Several key players, including Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, and Gerrit Cole, remain sidelined.
- Strikeout Rate – The Yankees rank 28th in MLB in strikeouts per game (9.5).
Tampa Bay Rays (14-18, 4th in AL East)
The Rays have struggled recently, losing four straight games, but they remain a dangerous team. Jonathan Aranda leads Tampa Bay with a .298 batting average, while Chandler Simpson has been a bright spot, going 12-for-40 in his last 10 games.
Key Strengths:
- Balanced Lineup – The Rays rank sixth in the AL with a .242 team batting average.
- Pitching Depth – Despite recent struggles, Tampa Bay’s bullpen remains one of the most reliable in the league.
- Speed & Contact Hitting – The Rays rely on aggressive baserunning and high-contact hitters.
Key Weaknesses:
- Road Struggles – Tampa Bay is 5-5 away from home this season.
- Lack of Power – The Rays rank 19th in MLB in home runs (27).
Starting Pitchers
New York Yankees – Clarke Schmidt (0-1, 5.52 ERA, 15 K)
Schmidt will make his fourth start of the season, looking to improve on his 5.52 ERA. He pitched five innings of one-run ball against Toronto in his last outing, showing signs of improvement.
Tampa Bay Rays – Zack Littell (1-5, 5.03 ERA, 32 K)
Littell has struggled this season, posting a 1-5 record despite a respectable 5.03 ERA. He’ll need to limit the Yankees’ power hitters to give Tampa Bay a chance.
Game Prediction & Key Matchups
Key Matchups:
- Judge vs. Littell – Can Littell contain the Yankees’ biggest slugger?
- Goldschmidt vs. Rays’ Bullpen – Goldschmidt has been red-hot, and Tampa Bay’s relievers will need to slow him down.
- Schmidt vs. Aranda – Aranda leads the Rays in batting average and could be a key factor.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 9.5
New York Yankees – 198
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 2, 2025
