Hitters of the Rays Struggle Against Fried's Pitching

Let's Dive into a Tale of Bases and Bombers: Rays vs. Yankees, 7:05 ET

We've got a stacked roster of games today, with Thursdays and Mondays usually offering a lighter schedule for sports fans and bettors alike. But honestly, I'm torn. Do I prefer a day brimming with action, or a slate that allows me to focus on each game more thoroughly? On the one hand, more games means more exciting action. On the other, concentrating on each matchup underscores my strategy better. Today, a thrilling showdown has my attention - the Rays and the Yankees as they kick off a scrap in New York.

The Rays are putting together a decent season, but nothing that will set the world on fire. They've always been a competitive bunch over the past years, managing to hang in there despite being light on resources. They hover around .500 currently, a challenging feat in the stacked AL East, shared with the Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and, of course, the Yankees. You can't be average and dream of playoff glory in the AL East. Today, they'll start with Ryan Pepiot on the mound, hoping he'll guide them to a win in their battle against the Yankees today. Pepiot holds a 2-3 record with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He boasts three quality starts already this season, including one against the Yankees. In that game, he pitched six innings, gave up six hits, three earned runs, homered twice, and struck out seven hitters. Pepiot has made just one road start this year, but it was strong, going six innings against the Padres and surrendering only one earned run. Overall, Yankees batters average a meager .149 against him.

Mar 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (44) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement - Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Yankees are coming off an intriguing offseason. On the one hand, reaching the World Series showcased substantial progress for the team over the last few years. Aaron Judge performed fantastically and continued his MVP caliber season. On the other hand, they lost one of the top young hitters in the game to a club that was just a stone's throw away. Not ideal for the Bronx Bombers, but they've kept rolling. The offense clicks, the players rally together, and Judge, without his Soto-sidekick, is hitting over .400 at the moment - no typo there. He's batting .427 at the time of this writing. The only question is why are pitchers still throwing to him? One major acquisition for the team is Max Fried, tonight's starter. Fried has been an asset since joining the Yankees. He stands 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. I've always appreciated Fried and bet on him frequently with the Braves. He's usually reliable, but can have the occasional bad outing. Rays batters can't get a hit against Fried — he's got them batting a paltry .077 across 39 at-bats.

Divisional battles are my fave. The intensity, the data, and the familiarity between the teams really ramp up the excitement. The problem for this one is the Rays might be in over their heads. I'm banking on the Yankees to win the run line through the fifth inning here. Mostly, I just don't want to deal with bullpens. If you can find a reasonable under 4.5 runs bet through five innings, you might want to take a shot on that, but I prefer the run line.

For more intel on sports betting and recommendations, check out David on Twitter: @futureprez2024

Detailing the Battle: Hypothetical March 28, 2025 Analysis

Start Time: Usually, early-season games begin at either 1:05 PM for day games or 7:05 PM ET for primetime games.
Pitchers: Early-season rotations typically follow the previous year's trends unless injuries or signings alter the mix.
Rays: May sport a lefty like Shane McClanahan (if healthy) or rely on their deep pitching stable, utilizing bulk relievers.
Yankees: Might deploy starters like Gerrit Cole or Carlos Rodón, depending on the rotation order.
Betting Advice (general):
Under leans: Pitchers can traditionally be ahead of hitters in early-season action.
Moneyline: Typically, Yankees at home (if in the Bronx) receive slightly lighter odds (-130 to -150 range).
Player Props: Proficient power bats like Aaron Judge (Yankees) or Randy Arozarena (Rays) for home run or total bases markets.

HALF-TIME: May 2–3, 2025 Insights

Pitching Dominance: Max Fried (Yankees) pitched a 1-hit shutout with 6+ strikeouts on May 2[1][3]. Rays struggled offensively, recording only 1 hit across 9 innings[1], highlighting their vulnerability to premier pitching.
Offensive Difference-Maker: Paul Goldschmidt (Yankees) drilled a 3-run HR[2][3], showcasing the influence of veteran bats in tight games.
Bullpen Edge: Yankees' Devin Williams demonstrated efficient closing in later innings[3], indicating a lockdown relief corps.

Final Frame: Prediction Adjustments

If March 28 echoes May 2 trends: Embrace the Yankees ML (solid pitching + timely power) and the Under (7.5–8.5 runs).
Worth Watching: Planned lineup changes, weather (cool temperatures benefit pitchers), and pre-game reports on potential injuries.

For official March 28 info, check the MLB schedules as the date approaches.

In the MLB matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Yankees, I'm predicting the Yankees to take the win, given the strong performance of their starter, Max Fried, who has a 5-0 record and a 1.19 ERA against the Rays.
As for sports betting, I'm suggesting a bet on the Yankees' win through the fifth inning, not only because of Fried's reliability but also due to the Rays' batting struggles against him (average of .077 across 39 at-bats).
Another potential bet would be on the low-scoring nature of the game, given historical tendencies for pitchers to contribute more in early-season action. An under 4.5 runs bet through five innings could be a possibility.
In the event of a close future matchup between the Rays and Yankees on March 28, 2025, I would favor the Yankees' moneyline, relying on their solid pitching and timely power.
Despite being a fervent sports fan and frequent sports bettor, I find enjoyment in both light and action-packed schedules, with the thrill of a single, competitive contest like the one between the Yankees and Rays matching the excitement of a day brimming with games.