New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/12/26

While the New York Yankees haven’t looked good over the course of their recent four-game losing streak, it’s difficult to see them relinquishing their lead in the American League East after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are surging in the standings behind their usual brand of baseball and have taken the Yankees down in the first two games of the series, but the pitching matchup between Cam Schlittler and Drew Rasmussen should favor the Yankees.

Schlitter has been lights out this season with a 1.62 ERA, and could be even better with his incredible 1.46 xERA. He has added some more strikeout stuff to his arsenal this season, which should keep the Rays’ contact hitters at bay. Tampa Bay, like New York, has a lethal top-half of the order and a bottom half that drops off significantly. It could come down to the wire in a low-scoring game, but if the starters don’t go deep, I expect some offense late with the Yankees coming out on top.

Rasmussen will be no easy task for the Yankees, as he allowed just seven hits over his first 10 innings of the season. However, he lasted just five innings in each of his first two starts, and New York has been able to get to Tampa Bay’s bullpen in this series.

While I like the matchup for the Yankees, the fact that they’ll be happy to get out of Tampa Bay still in the division lead without getting swept is the biggest reason I think they persevere in a tight game here. If they aren’t able to do it, some big questions will remain.

Yankees vs Rays prediction: Yankees ML (-155) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.