The Houston Astros (97-51) and Tampa Bay Rays (82-65) meet Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. ET to continue a 3-game set at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Astros vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Houston leads 1-0
The Astros shut out Tampa 4-0 Monday and are now 8-1 over their last 9 games. Houston’s pitching of late has been terrific. Since Aug. 21, the Astros are 20-6 with a 2.23 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Houston is 9-1 over its last 10 games away from Minute Maid Park.
The Rays had been 16-3 over their previous 19 home games, but they were shut out Monday for the first time since July 28. Tampa Bay is 4-7 and batting just .241/.301/.352 (.654 OPS) over its last 11 games.
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Astros at Rays projected starters
RHP Cristian Javier vs. LHP Shane McClanahan
Javier (9-9, 2.87 ERA) has appeared in 27 games and made 22 starts. He’s logged a 1.00 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 11.8 K/9 through 131 2/3 IP.
- Owns a 1.79 ERA over his last 7 starts
- Coming off 6 scoreless innings Wednesday at the Detroit Tigers; has allowed 1 ER or less in 5 of his last 6 starts
McClanahan (12-5, 2.13 ERA) owns a 0.86 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 through 152 1/3 IP across 25 starts.
- Has pitched 11 scoreless innings over his last 2 starts
- Figures to see a heavy dose of right-handed bats in the Houston lineup; has held righties to a .508 OPS this season
Astros at Rays odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Astros +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Rays -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-205) | Rays -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Astros at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 4, Rays 3
Money line
There is some risk because of the fine pitching match-up, but HOUSTON (+110) is a workable play.
This boils down to the dependability of the Astros lineup, which has cranked out an .883 OPS over its last 11 games. McClanahan’s start is his second off a layoff, and that could bring on middle-inning fatigue. The Tampa port-sider missed the first couple weeks of September with a shoulder impingement.
Run line/Against the spread
With respect for McClanahan, bigger bankroll players may want to consider a line watch here instead of the outright ML play.
Houston +1.5 priced at either -195 or even -200 makes for solid leverage.
Over/Under
With the slightest 4-way (both starters, both bullpens) fade in this game’s pitching, and with due respect for the Houston offense — one at its best against left-handers (.772 OPS) — back the OVER 6.5 (-108).
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