April 12, 2026, 7:10 a.m. ET
The New York Yankees (8-6) and Tampa Bay Rays (7-7) clash Sunday as they cap off a 3-game AL East series in Tampa, Florida. The first pitch from Tropicana Field will be a 1:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Yankees vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 2-0
The Yankees had been solid early this season, but they have lost the first 2 games of this series and have now stumbled in 4 consecutive games. New York lost Friday’s game 5-3 and lost Saturday’s game 5-4 in 10 innings.
Tampa Bay, which was a +144 underdog Saturday, is 5-2 across its last 7 games. The Rays leapfrogged New York in Saturday’s 10th frame — they turned a 3-3 tie through 9 into a 5-4 triumph in a 2-for-1 10th inning.
Watch MLB on Fubo!Yankees at Rays projected starters
RHP Cam Schlittler vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen
Schlittler (2-0, 1.62 ERA) is making his fourth start. He owns a 0.48 WHIP, 0.0 BB/9 and 11.9 K/9 in 16 2/3 innigs.
Last outing: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 5-3 win vs. Athletics TuesdayCareer vs. Rays (regular season): 0-1, 2.45 ERA (11 IP, 3 ER), 8 H, 6 BB, 13 K in 2 startsLast start vs. Tampa: No-decision, 6 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 K in 6-4 loss at Tampa Aug. 20, 2025
Rasmussen (0-0, 1.80 ERA) is making his third start. He has a 0.70 WHIP, 0.9 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 10 innings.
Last outing: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K in 8-2 loss at Milwaukee Brewers April 1Career vs. Yankees (regular season): 3-1, 1.19 ERA (37 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 24 H, 9 BB, 44 KExpected to return from the paternity list for this startYankees at Rays odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:03 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Yankees -146 (bet $146 to win $100) | Rays +126 (bet $100 to win $126)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (+114) | Rays +1.5 (-137)Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Slide into: BaseballHQ.com for your fantasy baseball news. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers full-season subscriptions. Sign up today!
Yankees at Rays picks and predictionsPrediction
Yankees 4, Rays 3
New York won 9 of 13 meetings with Tampa last season. The Yankees are 2-0 in road-series finales thus far this season.
The Yanks have lost 6 games and 5 of those have been by 1-run margins. Schlittler’s stuff is very much for real. He’s missing bats and keeping a wraps on hard contact.
The first 2 games of this set have seen the Yankees go 2 for 16 (.125) with runners in scoring position while the Rays have gone 7 for 18 (.389).
Peg the value meter here as tilting — slightly — toward the YANKEES (-146).
No interest; PASS.
The last 7 New York road games have seen the Under go 5-2. The Under is 3-1 across the last 4 New York-at-Tampa games.
If Rasmussen goes for the Rays, his 10-day layoff is a wild-card factor. But the lefty does have a strong history when it comes to starts on 6-plus days’ rest (1.73 ERA in 19 career starts).
Tampa owns a mere .642 OPS at home; New York has registered a .647 OPS on the road. The UNDER 7.5 (-105) — a price available on BetMGM Sportsbook — has leverage in this Sunday series finale.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.