Friday, April 18, 7:10 PM on YES, SUN

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

New York - Kuroda, H (2-1) vs. Tampa Bay - Bedard, E (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the New York Yankees will take the field behind Hiroki Kuroda as they face Erik Bedard and the Tampa Bay Rays.  It will be Kuroda’s 4th start and Bedard’s 1st. 

Hiroki Kuroda shook off a loss in his first start of the year to pick up back to back wins in the next two.  Kuroda has gone at least 6 innings in every start and in his last he went 6.1 innings, surrendering 4 runs on 6 hits (including a home run) while walking 3 and striking out 5.  In 2013, Kuroda struggled late in the season and finished with a record of 11 – 13 and an ERA of 3.31 in 32 starts.

Last season, Kuroda was 0 – 2 with an ERA of 9.26 in 2 starts against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The Rays hit him hard with 12 runs on 14 hits in 11.2 innings.   Tampa Bay’s Matt Joyce is batting .357 with 3 homers and 3 RBIs against Kuroda. 

Erik Bedard will make his 1st start of the season with the third team he has played for in the last three seasons.  He has made a relief appearance earlier this season, going 2.1 innings and giving up 2 hits, a run and walk.  In 2013, while with the Houston Astros, he started 26 games and made 6 relief appearances with a record of 4 – 12 and a save.

Last season, Bedard failed to get a decision in 2 games against New York.   He gave up 4 runs on 9 hits in those starts with an ERA of 3.27.  Bedard will need to be wary of New York’s Alfonso Soriano.  Soriano owns a career .500 average with 3 doubles, a homer and 3 RBIs against Bedard.    

New York Betting Trends

New York is 5-10-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York is 0.0

Tampa Bay Betting Trends

Tampa Bay is 6-8-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay is -0.5

Injuries to Watch

New York

04/16/14 2B Brian Roberts Back 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

04/13/14 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)

Tony's Pick: Take New York

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