The New York Yankees (43-27, plus-2.13 betting units) have dealt with an unusually long string of injuries this year, but they should have some more pop in the batting order this Wednesday when they host the Tampa Bay Rays (43-28, plus-2.13 units) in the finale of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. ESPN has the first pitch at 1:05 PM ET.
The Yankees acquired DH/INF Edwin Encarnacion (.888 OPS) from the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, along with cash considerations, in exchange for minor-league righty Juan Then. Encarnacion leads the American League with 21 home runs; to make room for him on their 25-man roster, New York sent DH/LF Clint Frazier (.843 OPS) to AAA-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where outfielders Giancarlo Stanton (.850 OPS) and Aaron Judge (.925 OPS) are nearly done with their rehab assignments.
CC Sabathia (4.42 ERA) is projected to start for New York on Wednesday opposite reigning AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell (3.70 ERA). The Yankees are up 0.88 units behind Sabathia on a team record of 6-5. Snell, who has had some bad luck with balls in play compared to last year, is down 6.15 units, with the Rays dead even at 7-7.
