The Houston Astros (12-11) play the 2nd contest of a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (20-3) Tuesday. First pitch at Tropicana Field is scheduled for 7:07 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: Rays lead 1-0; Astros won 5-1 in 2022
The Astros suffered an 8-3 setback in the series opener against the Rays, halting a 3-game win streak. Houston had outscored the opposition 19-6 in the 3-game run. The good news for the Astros is that they haven’t lost consecutive games since April 7-8 in Minnesota.
The Rays enter on a 6-game winning streak, outscoring the opposition by a 42-14 margin. Tampa Bay has cashed in 4 in a row against AL West teams, while going 14-2 in the last 16 games against a right-handed starting pitcher.
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Astros at Rays projected starters
RHP Luis Garcia vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen
Garcia (1-2, 5.14 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 21 IP.
- Posted his 1st quality start of the season last time out Wednesday vs. the Toronto Blue Jays: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
- Has posted 16 K in the last 2 starts over 12 IP; has had at least 4 K in each of his 4 outings
Rasmussen (3-1, 2.03 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 0.94 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9 in 22 1/3 IP.
- Has allowed runs in just 1 of his 4 starts so far this season
- Allowed just 1 H and 0 BB with 8 K across 7 scoreless IP in a win against the Oakland Athletics in his only home start on April 9
- Has managed at least 7 K in 3 of his 4 starts, and he has allowed just 1 HR across his 22 1/3 IP
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 6:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Rays -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-150) | Rays -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Astros at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Astros 2
Moneyline
The RAYS (-165) are a solid play on their home field, as they continue to show no signs of letting up.
Tampa Bay should handle its business against Houston’s Garcia, as the Rays are 14-2 in the last 16 tries against a right-handed starting pitcher. Tampa has won 40 of the past 53 games at home, too, which is a winning percentage of .755.
Run line/Against the spread
The RAYS -1.5 (+125) are worth a roll of the dice on the run line, too.
Rasmussen has allowed very little in the way of runs, while Garcia has been a little more erratic. The starting pitchers will be the difference.
Tampa won and covered on the run line as a favorite in the series opener, and it is 4-2 in the last 6 on the run line as a fave during the current 6-game win streak. If you like the Rays to win, you should like them on the run line, too.
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Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-110) is the line, but go lightly.
The Over has been on fire for both teams lately, but Garcia and Rasmussen should post plenty of donuts early on. The Under is also 6-2-1 in the last 9 for the Rays against teams with a winning overall record, while going 28-9-3 in the past 40 meetings at Tropicana Field.
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