The Houston Astros (12-10) will begin a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (19-3) on Monday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Astros went 5-1 vs. the Rays in 2022
The Astros defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Sunday to complete the 3-game series sweep on the road. Houston has won 4 straight games and its last 2 series.
On Sunday, the Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1 to improve to 19-3 on the season. Tampa Bay has secured 5 consecutive victories to give itself the best record in baseball.
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Astros at Rays projected starters
RHP Jose Urquidy vs. RHP Taj Bradley
Urquidy (1-1, 3.66 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.53 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 19 2/3 IP.
- Has given up 7 H in 3 of his 1st 4 starts this season
- Has 1-4 record in his last 7 starts dating back to last season
Bradley (2-0, 2.61 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 14.8 K/9 in 10 1/3 IP.
- Has 8-plus K’s in each of his 1st 2 starts this season
- Last start: 5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K vs. the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday
Astros at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Rays -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-160) | Rays -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Astros at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 5, Astros 3
Moneyline
One of these teams is going to have its winning streak end on Monday. With Tampa Bay boasting a 13-0 record at home this season, I’ll back the RAYS (-150) to get the job done.
Run line/Against the spread
RAYS -1.5 (+135) has solid value with how Tampa Bay has performed at home thus far. Urquidy is a pitcher who can struggle with his lack of swing and misses, while Bradley has hit the ground running in his 1st 2 starts.
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-115).
Both of these teams certainly have lineups that are capable of producing runs in bunches. However, the Under is 28-8-3 in the last 39 meetings in Tampa Bay and 43-21-4 in the last 68 meetings overall.
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