The New York Yankees’ sputtering offense faces a brutal test this week against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. His pitching mastery could crush their already fragile lineup.
The Yankees have lost 13 of their last 17 games. They snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Rays on Monday night at Tropicana Field. That win was only their second since June 24.
Rasmussen takes aim at that struggling offense. The right-hander owns a 2.87 ERA this season with a 0.98 WHIP over 94 innings. His fastball averages 96.8 mph. His slider generates a 38% whiff rate.
What channel is Yankees vs Rays today? The game airs on Prime Video exclusively, with first pitch at 7:10 p.m. ET from Tropicana Field.
| Game Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | July 8, 2026 |
| Time | 7:10 p.m. ET |
| TV Channel | Prime Video |
| Venue | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg |
| Odds | Rays -155, Yankees +130 |
Here are 5 series to watch in final week before All-Star break. The Yankees-Rays matchup leads the list. Other key series include Braves at Phillies, Dodgers at Padres, Astros at Mariners, and Brewers at Cubs.
Rasmussen has dominated the Yankees in his career. In four starts against them, he holds a 1.93 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 23.1 innings. New York’s lineup has hit just .198 against him.
Yankees hitters have struggled with runners in scoring position. Their .218 average in those situations ranks 27th in MLB. The team has scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their last 14 games.
Aaron Judge is hitting .264 with 22 home runs. Anthony Rizzo is at .251 with 12 homers. Neither has produced consistently this month.
Rays manager Kevin Cash has used Rasmussen strategically. He often faces the heart of a lineup three times before handing the ball to a deep bullpen. Tampa Bay’s relievers have a 3.21 ERA, fourth-best in the American League.
The Yankees counter with right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who is 5-4 with a 3.78 ERA. He allowed three runs in five innings against the Rays earlier this season.
Prediction: Rays 4, Yankees 2. Rasmussen limits New York to two runs over seven innings. The Yankees’ offensive woes continue.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What channel is the Yankees vs Rays game on today?
- A: The game airs exclusively on Prime Video, with first pitch at 7:10 p.m. ET from Tropicana Field.
- Q: How has Drew Rasmussen performed against the Yankees in his career?
- A: Rasmussen has dominated the Yankees with a 1.93 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 23.1 innings in four career starts, holding New York’s lineup to a .198 batting average.
- Q: Why is the Yankees offense considered sputtering right now?
- A: The Yankees have lost 13 of their last 17 games and scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their last 14 contests. Their .218 average with runners in scoring position ranks 27th in MLB.
Extended Reading
This analysis draws from reporting by NorthJersey.com’s Albert Bainbridge IV and MLB.com’s series previews. Additional context from CBS Sports on Rasmussen’s approach to the Yankees lineup.