Thursday, April 17, 7:10 PM on YES, SUN

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

New York - Sabathia, C (1-2) vs. Tampa Bay - Bedard, E (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday night, the New York Yankees will take the field behind C.C. Sabathia as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays and Erik Bedard.  Sabathia will make his fourth start of the year as Bedard makes his 1st start.

C.C Sabathia’s year hasn’t started well with 2 losses in 3 starts.  And his ERA is a high 6.63 after already surrendering 5 homers this season.  But strikeouts to walks are up.   Last season, Sabathia posted the highest ERA of his career at 4.78 after going 14 – 13 in 32 starts.   Sabathia’s strikeouts were down as well.    

In 2013, Sabathia was a dismal 1 – 4 in 5 starts against Tampa Bay.  Sabathia will need to pitch around Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria.  Longoria is batting .396 with 6 homers and 13 RBIs against Sabathia.

Erik Bedard will make his 2nd appearance of the year and his first start as he begins the year with his third team in as many seasons.   So far, Bedard has 2.1 innings of work with 2 hits, a run and a walk surrendered.  Last season, he went 4 – 12 with a save in 26 starts and 6 relief appearances with the Houston Astros. 

In 2013, Bedard started 2 games against the Yankees but he didn’t record a decision in either one.   His ERA was 3.27 with 11 strikeouts and 4 walks.  In his career, Bedard has faced many of the hitters in the Yankees lineup.   Alfonso Soriano is hitting .500 against Bedard with 3 doubles, a home run and 3 RBIs.     

New York Betting Trends

New York is 5-8-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York is -0.4

Tampa Bay Betting Trends

Tampa Bay is 6-7-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay is -0.4

Injuries to Watch

New York

04/16/14 2B Brian Roberts Back doubtful
04/16/14 SS Derek Jeter Quad questionable
04/15/14 C Francisco Cervelli Hamstring 60-day DL (4/13)
04/08/14 P David Robertson Groin 15-day DL (4/7)
04/05/14 1B Mark Teixeira Hamstring 15-day DL (4/5)
04/01/14 SS Brendan Ryan Back 15-day DL (3/22)

Tampa Bay

04/15/14 P Jake Odorizzi Flu probable Wednesday
04/13/14 P Alex Cobb Oblique 15-day DL (4/13)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 15-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 P Juan Oviedo Elbow 15-day DL (3/30)
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 15-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 P Jeremy Hellickson Elbow 15-day DL (3/30)

Josh's Pick: Take Tampa Bay

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