MLB Prop Bets: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays (May 22, 2026)
The Tampa Bay Rays (33-15) face the New York Yankees (30-21) at Yankee Stadium on Friday at 7:05pm (ET). Let's take a look at the MLB Prop Bets for the matchup. Nick Martinez is the probable pitcher for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole is the probable pitcher for the Yankees. The Yankees are favored to win at -156, while the Rays are at +129. The total runs line is set at 8.0, with OVER at -107 and UNDER at -113.
- The Rays (-164) have a 30-18 Run Line record this season, while the Yankees (+136) hold a record of 27-24.
- The Rays have a 24-21-3 O/U record this season (meaning 24 games have gone over the total runs line, 21 have gone under and three have resulted in a push). The Yankees have a 21-26-4 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Rays are averaging 4.8 runs per game this season (8th in the league). Comparatively, the Yankees are averaging 4.9 (7th).
- In the field, the Rays are allowing 4.0 runs per game this season (9th in the league), while the Yankees are allowing an average of 3.6 runs (4th).
Let's take a look at how these teams perform in some other key statistical areas.
Batting Insights:
Batting Average
- Looking at their batting averages this season, the Rays are at .261 (ranking 3rd in the Major leagues), while the Yankees are batting .233 (22nd).
Home Runs
- In terms of total home runs this season, the Yankees are one of the best in the Major Leagues, hitting 73 to rank 1st. Alternatively, the Rays are at the opposite end of the home run standings, hitting just 41 (T27th).
Runs Batted In
- Finally, looking at their runs batted in, the Rays have recorded 218 RBIs to rank T9th in the MLB this season. Comparatively, the Yankees have recorded 237 RBIs to rank T4th.
Pitching Insights:
Earned Run Average
- The Yankees have an earned run average of 3.31 this season (4th in the Majors), while The Rays have an ERA of 3.57 (6th).
Strikeouts
- Turning our attention to total strikeouts, the Rays have recorded 377 this season, ranking 28th in the MLB. Meanwhile, the Yankees rank 7th for total strikeouts, recording 449.
Opponent Batting Average
- Opponents are batting an average of .223 against the Yankees this season (4th in the Major Leagues). Comparatively, the Rays' opponents are at .225 (6th).
First Innings Moneyline
- Here are their first innings moneyline records in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 13-8-27 | 6-5-13 | 7-3-14 | 8-6-15 | 5-2-12 | 0-0-0 | 6-0-4 |
| Yankees | 19-9-23 | 11-6-7 | 8-3-16 | 17-9-21 | 2-0-2 | 0-0-0 | 2-1-7 |
Lead After Three Innings
- Here are their records after the first three innings in 2026.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Neutral | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rays | 21-15-12 | 11-6-7 | 10-9-5 | 15-10-4 | 6-5-8 | 0-0-0 | 6-1-3 |
| Yankees | 28-13-10 | 13-5-6 | 15-8-4 | 24-13-10 | 4-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 5-3-2 |
NRFI/YRFI
The NRFI market is paying -105 and the YRFI is paying -125.
- The NRFI is 25-23 in Rays games this season. The Yankees have a 22-29 NRFI record.
Last Time They Met
The Rays recorded a 5-4 victory over the Yankees at Tropicana Field when these teams last met on April 12. Chandler Simpson went yard en route to that victory, hitting a home run to go with an RBI. The Rays have now won four straight at Tropicana Field against the Yankees.
