Rays at Yankees MLB Picks:The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees begin a four-game weekend series at new Yankee Stadium starting today and ending with an ESPN televised game on Monday. After a slow start to begin the season, they Yankees caught fire in May and have carried the momentum into June. Currently the Yankees and Boston Red Sox share the American League East lead atop the standings. The Tampa Bay Rays, last years pennant winner, got off to an even slower start than did New York but have shown some life and currently have their record at .500 (28-28). The Rays have won four of their last five games and are coming to New York with momentum after sweeping the Kansas City Royals in three straight at home. Likewise, the Yankees are hot having won seven of their last 10 games including three consecutive series victories.

Online sports handicapping experts and oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com list the Yankees as series (3 games) favorites at -260 moneyline odds while odds on the underdog Rays are +200. New York is a -200 favorite on the Sportsbook.com moneyline with a 9-run total. Tampa Bay backers are getting +185 moneyline juice as a road team underdog.

For Friday's game-1, the Yankees will look to continue their winning ways by sending former Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia to the mound for the start. Since getting off to a rocky beginning in April, Sabathia has settled into his normal groove and now has a positive record of 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA. The Rays will counter with a lefty of their own in David Price who is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA.

Sabathia had a victorious return to Cleveland in his last start on Saturday, hurling seven innings of three-run, five-hit ball in New York's 10-5 victory over the Indians. Sabathia had great command of his fastball and changeup and later worked in his other pitches, as he and catcher Jorge Posada experienced better rapport. Sabathia has won his last four decisions and has not lost since May 2 vs. the Angels. He will be facing Tampa Bay for the first time this year.

Price rebounded from a disappointing season debut to dominate Minnesota for his first Major League win on Saturday. The 6-foot-6 left-hander struck out 11 batters through 5 2/3 innings while walking two and allowing five hits and one run, showing flashes of the potential that has had Rays fans drooling since he reached the Majors last September.