New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Preview, Odds, and Key Players for August 20, 2025 AL East Showdown

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays: Game Preview and Key Matchups

The New York Yankees (68-57, second in the AL East) travel to face the Tampa Bay Rays (61-65, fourth in the AL East) in an AL East showdown. This marks the 13th meeting between these division rivals this season, with the Yankees currently leading the season series 8-4.

Pitching Probables

For this matchup, the Yankees will send Cam Schlittler (1-2, 3.94 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 30 strikeouts) to the mound. Opposing him will be the Rays’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.60 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 102 strikeouts), who has been a steady presence for Tampa Bay’s rotation.

Betting Odds

The Rays are slight favorites at -119, while the Yankees are listed at -101. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring game.

Team Breakdown

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay holds a 32-31 record at home, with 61 wins and 65 losses overall. The Rays have hit 137 home runs this season, ranking 10th in the American League and averaging 1.1 home runs per game.

New York Yankees

The Yankees have a slightly sub-.500 record on the road (31-32) but boast a strong 68-57 overall mark. New York leads the AL with a .332 team on-base percentage, giving them an edge in getting runners aboard and creating scoring opportunities.

Top Players to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

Junior Caminero leads the Rays with 21 doubles and 35 home runs. Chandler Simpson has impressed recently, hitting .350 over the last 10 games with a double and a triple.

New York Yankees

Aaron Judge continues his MVP-caliber season with 25 doubles, two triples, and 40 homers. Giancarlo Stanton has been red-hot, going 12-for-24 with a double and five home runs over his last 10 games.

Recent Performance

Over their last 10 games, the Rays are 4-6 with a .229 team batting average and a 5.61 ERA, having been outscored by 18 runs. The Yankees, meanwhile, are 7-3 over their last 10 contests, hitting .265 as a team and posting a 3.66 ERA, outscoring their opponents by 21 runs.

Injury Report

Tampa Bay Rays

Key injuries include Josh Lowe (day-to-day, oblique), Taylor Walls (10-Day IL, groin), Jonny Deluca (10-Day IL, hamstring), Jonathan Aranda (10-Day IL, wrist), Stuart Fairchild (10-Day IL, oblique), Manuel Rodriguez (60-Day IL, forearm), Hunter Bigge (60-Day IL, lat), Richie Palacios (60-Day IL, knee), Shane McClanahan (60-Day IL, tr

Related Links

• New York Yankees News & Updates
• New York Yankees Schedule & Scores
• Tampa Bay Rays News & Updates
• Tampa Bay Rays Schedule & Scores
• MLB News