The Tampa Bay Rays (54-54) and New York Yankees (58-49) play the third game of a 4-game series Wednesday in the Bronx. The first pitch from Yankee Stadium is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Rays vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: New York leads 5-4

Tampa Bay took Monday’s opener 4-2, but New York bounced back with a 7-5 win Tuesday. Since July 20, the Rays have gone 2-9 with a 5.38 ERA.

The Yankees are just 2-4 with a 6.11 ERA over their last half-dozen games. Their Tuesday triumph snapped a 3-game skid against Tampa.

Rays at Yankees projected starters

RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Will Warren

Littell (8-8, 3.72 ERA) is making his 22nd start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 through 128 1/3 innings.

Last outing: Loss, 6 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 7-2 defeat at Cincinnati Reds FridayCareer vs. Yankees (regular season): 3-1, 4.81 ERA (24 1/3 IP, 13 ER), 20 H, 5 BB, 16 K in 4 startsOwns 3.36 ERA at home but is starting on the road for the fifth time in his last 6 games

Warren (6-5, 4.82 ERA) is making his 23rd start. He has a 1.44 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 through 104 2/3 innings.

Last outing: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 12-5 home defeat vs. Philadelphia Phillies FridayCareer vs. Rays: 0-1, 5.68 ERA (6 1/3 IP, 4 ER), 11 H, 5 BB, 9 K in 2 starts

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Rays at Yankees odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:07 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Yankees -140 (bet $140 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-190) | Yankees -1.5 (+155)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)Rays at Yankees picks and predictionsPrediction

Yankees 4, Rays 3

Littell has run into a lot of contact, much of it classified as the hard-hit variety, over his last 3 starts. And his overall-season numbers are tamped down by a .261 batting average on balls in play.

Warren has been solid enough in 3 of his last 4 starts, and he’s registered decent turns against good offensive clubs over that span. The Yankee right-hander has been hurt by a .322 BABIP.

Per ESPN, current New York bats own an aggregate .921 OPS against Littell.

Tab the YANKEES (-140) as being a moderate value.

No interest; STEER CLEAR.

The last 8 series meetings have seen the Under go 5-3. And the Under is 6-1-2 across Tampa’s last 9 road tilts.

Warren being better than what shows in his surface ERA is a big part of the assessment here. So, is the idea that New York’s attack is hampered by the subtraction of OF Aaron Judge, who is on the 10-day IL with an elbow injury. Mix in the back ends of the bullpens in being solid availability status, and the UNDER 9 (-115) is the value side here.

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