June 17 MLB Series Prices: Rays, Yankees Battle for Top Spot in AL East

• The New York Yankees take a narrow half-game lead atop the AL East standings into a three-game home series with the second-place Tampa Bay Rays
• Fresh off a brutal 15-1 loss in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia Phillies try to keep pace with the NL East-leading Braves as they travel to Washington
• The Milwaukee Brewers have struggled with consistency on the road, but hope to rebound against the slumping San Diego Padres

The battle for the top of the AL East continues as the Tampa Bay Rays visit Edwin Encarnacion and the New York Yankees. Over in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies look to keep pace with the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves as they visit Washington, while the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers continue a West Coast swing with a three-game set against the struggling San Diego Padres.

We have odds for each of these new series as well as every other series kicking off on Monday.

Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Series Price

*All odds taken 06/17/19

Yankees Host Rays in Battle for First Place in AL East

The top of the AL East standings will be at stake as the New York Yankees open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday as -125 favorites. These two teams have met in two previous series this season, with the Yankees taking two of three on each of those occasions, while limiting the Rays to three or fewer runs in four of those six outings.

https://twitter.com/Starting9/status/1140060126948331523

The Yankees return home after splitting a four-game set against the Chicago White Sox, extending an inconsistent run that has seen them drop eight of their past 13 contests. The club took steps to bolster a lineup decimated by injuries, dealing for AL home run leader Edwin Encarnacion, who is expected to step into the role of primary DH. Encarnacion has hit 21 homers this season, and has 18 dingers in 69 career appearances at Yankee Stadium.

Rays vs Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers

The Rays travel to the Bronx as +105 underdogs  after going a disappointing 3-4 during a seven-game home stand featuring clashes with the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels. However, Tampa Bay has been outstanding on the road, avoiding consecutive defeats during a 13-6 run since May 1st.

Yonny Chirinos, White Castle Value Meal (K/3 nasty sliders). 🤢🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/JhtH8ZwzjY

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 12, 2019

Solid pitching has been key to Tampa Bay’s success on the road. Rays hurlers have limited opponents to two or fewer runs in 12 of their past 19 outings away from Tropicana Field. The club’s probable pitchers in this series have also enjoyed recent success against the Yankees.

Monday’s expected starter Yonny Chirinos held the Pinstripes to just two total runs in 8.2 innings of work over two starts this season, while Wednesday’s expected starter, Blake Snell, surrendered just three total earned runs over 11.2 innings while striking out 21 total batters, and has surrendered more than one earned run just once in his past four road starts.

Pick: Rays (+105)

Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals Series Price

Nats Look to Extend Hot Home Streak Against Visiting Phillies

The Washington Nationals aim to extend their undefeated streak in series on home turf to four as they host the slumping Philadelphia Phillies in a four-game set as heavy -210 favorites. The Nationals split a four-game weekend set with the Arizona Diamondbacks, capped by a 15-5 win on Sunday that marks the fourth time since the Memorial Day weekend that the club has scored 12 or more runs.

Since starting the season 19-31, the Washington Nationals have won 13 of their last 20 games (a big improvement for them). One major reason being Juan Soto’s resurgence as of late (.357 AVG, .429 OBP, and .582 SLG since May 17th): https://t.co/cgZNdwpqaY

— Max Goldstein (@MaxSportsStudio) June 16, 2019

The Nationals have shown signs of a turnaround after a dismal start to their home schedule this season, going 7-3 in their past 10 dates at Nationals Park. However, their recent home outings have tended to be high-scoring affairs, with the club surrendering 5.64 runs per game over their past 14. That trend extends to recent home dates with the Phillies, with the over going 8-2-1 in run totals betting in 11 meetings since the start of the 2018 season.

Phillies vs Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers

The Phillies limp into Washington as +180 underdogs after losing five of seven, capped by a 15-1 beating in Atlanta on Sunday that leaves them trailing the first-place Braves in the NL East by 2.5 games.

BRAVES WIN … BRAVES WIN … BRAVES … WIN

Atlanta pounds out a season-high 19 hits, pummeling the Phillies 15-1 to win the series.

We'll wrap it all up next on #Braves LIVE with @JeromeOnSports, @nickgreen20 and @TwoSportman.#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/cEoxnc8c2U

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 16, 2019

Shutting down opposing hitters has emerged as a real problem for the Phillies, who surrendered 29 total runs while dropping two of three in Atlanta, and 7.43 runs per game over their past seven.

Jake Arrieta has struggled badly of late, allowing 13 total earned runs in 15.2 innings over his past three starts.

Monday’s expected starter, Jake Arrieta, has struggled badly of late, allowing 13 total earned runs in 15.2 innings over his past three starts, and has gone 1-3 over his past six road starts. He is just 1-1 in five previous road starts against the Nationals, despite surrendering just one earned run in each of those four outings.

Pick: Nationals (-210)

Milwaukee Brewers vs San Diego Padres Series Price

Brewers Favored to Rebound in Visit to San Diego

The Milwaukee Brewers will try to rebound after dropping two of three in San Francisco over the weekend as they visit the underachieving San Diego Padres as -130 chalk. Consistency on the road has eluded the Brewers this season after the club built last season’s march to an NL Central title on a strong 45-37 record.

Manager Craig Counsell on the #Brewers offense's struggles vs. the Giants pic.twitter.com/VVnlIagr5x

— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 15, 2019

The Brewers have failed to post consecutive road series wins while going 18-18 on the season. However, a visit to San Diego may prove to be a tonic for the club’s recent woes. Milwaukee has dominated the Padres over the past two seasons, racking up a 9-3 record in their past 12 overall meetings, and have gone 6-1 in their past seven dates at Petco Park.

Brewers vs Padres Probable Starting Pitchers

Winners of just 66 games last season, the Padres were expected to make major gains this year, and sported -105 odds of winning over 78.5 games going into the season. However, after going 7-13 in their past 20, a run that has featured consecutive wins on just one occasion and a 4-6 mark on home turf, San Diego finds itself at risk of tumbling into the NL West basement, where the club has finished two of the past three seasons.

Pick: Brewers (-130)

Additional MLB Series Odds