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The Tampa Bay Rays (55-53) and Houston Astros (56-52) clash in the Friday opener of a 3-game set at Minute Maid Park. The opening contest will start at 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; tied 3-3 in 2023
The Rays are 7-5 since the All-Star break and 3-1 over their last 4 games. The Astros are continuing a 9-game homestand. Since June 3, Houston is a robust 16-7 at Minute Maid.
Rays at Astros projected starters
RHP Shane Baz vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Baz (0-1, 3.66 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 19 2/3 IP.
- Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 3-2 loss vs. Cincinnati Reds Friday
- Did not open his season until July after missing April-June and all of 2023 after having Tommy John surgery in 2022
- Has never faced the Astros
Kikuchi (4-9, 4.75 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He owns a 1.34 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 10.1 K/9 in 115 2/3 IP.
- Last outing: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 6-5 win vs. Texas Rangers Friday
- Career vs. Rays: 5-2, 3.72 ERA (48 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 49 H, 16 BB, 55 K in 10 games (9 starts)
- Owns a 10.05 ERA over his last 3 starts
- Making his 1st start with Houston after coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade Monday
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rays at Astros odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:24 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Rays +124 (bet $100 to win $124) | Astros -146 (bet $146 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-162) | Astros -1.5 (+134)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rays at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Rays 4
Moneyline
Tampa Bay is 4-9 over its last 13 games against Houston.
The Astros are just 1-3 over their last 4 games, but went just 3-for-25 with runners in scoring position in the 3 losses. Kikuchi has been undone by a .340 batting average on balls in play, and he figures as a potential shrewd acquisition for Houston.
BET THE ASTROS (-146).
Run line/Against the spread
Tab the ML play as having a few cents more leverage. More cents equals more sense. PASS.
Over/Under
The Over has hit in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 road games.
The lean is on Kikuchi, but Tampa does a credible job against southpaws. Tab the OVER 8 (-110) with a slight lean.
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