Written by: Michael Rivera
Michael is a data-driven baseball enthusiast who specializes in pitch analytics and betting trends.
Yankees vs Rays: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 20)
Last updated: August 20, 2025
Game Time: 8/20, 07:35PM
Brief Intro
The New York Yankees head to Tropicana Field to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a critical late-season matchup. With both teams vying for playoff positioning, this game could have significant implications. Notably, betting odds are not available for this game, adding an element of intrigue for bettors looking for an edge.
Rotation Report
Pitching Matchup: Cam Schlittler vs Drew Rasmussen
Cam Schlittler (NYY):
- Arsenal: Four-Seam (57% usage, 98.0 mph); Cutter (20% usage, 91.2 mph); Curveball (12% usage, 83.6 mph); Sinker (6% usage, 97.2 mph); Sweeper (5% usage, 88.0 mph)
- Interpretation: Schlittler is a velocity-heavy pitcher with a dominant fastball. His mix of speeds can disrupt opposing batters' timing effectively.
- Matchup Insight: The Rays lineup averages .280 this season with a projected xBA of .2545 vs Schlittler's arsenal, suggesting a potential edge for the Yankees pitcher.
Drew Rasmussen (TB):
- Arsenal: Four-Seam (34% usage, 95.7 mph); Cutter (32% usage, 90.2 mph); Sinker (24% usage, 95.4 mph); Sweeper (5% usage, 84.6 mph); Curveball (4% usage, 80.4 mph); Changeup (1% usage, 89.3 mph)
- Interpretation: Rasmussen presents a diverse pitch mix that can keep hitters off balance, relying heavily on his fastball and cutter.
- Matchup Insight: The Yankees lineup averages .264 this season but projects to .2971 vs Rasmussen's arsenal, indicating potential struggles for the Rays pitcher.
Lineup Advantage vs Arsenal
Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges
For Yankees vs Drew Rasmussen:
- Biggest Increase: Trent Grisham: Season BA .247 → xBA vs arsenal .341 (+94 points), Season K% 21.0% → Arsenal K% 13.9% (-7.1%)
- Biggest Decrease: Giancarlo Stanton: Season BA .299 → xBA vs arsenal .279 (-20 points), Season K% 31.5% → Arsenal K% 21.7% (-9.8%)
For Rays vs Cam Schlittler:
- Biggest Increase: Chandler Simpson: Season BA .302 → xBA vs arsenal .330 (+28 points), Season K% 9.5% → Arsenal K% 5.2% (-4.3%)
- Biggest Decrease: Hunter Feduccia: Season BA .250 → xBA vs arsenal .140 (-110 points), Season K% 22.5% → Arsenal K% 24.7% (+2.2%)
Lineup Strikeout Trends vs Arsenal
Strikeout Risks & Rewards
- Yankees' projected K-rate is 20.2% vs Rasmussen — down 3.7% from their 23.8% season average. This suggests a potential contact advantage.
- Rays' projected K-rate is 21.9% vs Schlittler — up 1.0% from their 20.9% season average. While not a huge jump, it indicates a slight increase in strikeout potential.
Umpire Trends
Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.
What to Bet On
📢 Prop Alert: Trent Grisham (.247 → .341, +94 points) meets betting lean criteria!
⚡ K Prop Alert: No significant statistical edges meet our betting threshold in this matchup.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Key Player Advantage: Trent Grisham shows a significant increase in xBA, making him a strong prop candidate.
- Pitcher Prop Opportunities: No pitcher strikeout props meet our criteria for a confident lean.
- Umpire Impact: Umpire assignment is unknown, increasing the volatility of betting props.
- Overall Betting Recommendation: Focus on individual player props like Trent Grisham's batting edge if betting.
🧠 FAQs
Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Yankees vs Rays game? A: Trent Grisham meets our strict betting criteria with a projected xBA increase to .341.
Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment has not been announced, so tendencies are uncertain.
Q: What time is the Yankees vs Rays game? A: The game is scheduled for 8/20 at 07:35PM.
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