The Houston Astros–Tampa Bay Rays AL Championship Series continues Monday at Petco Park in San Diego, but with an earlier start for Game 2 at 4:07 p.m. ET (on TBS). Top-seeded Tampa Bay will be the home team again. Below, we analyze the Astros-Rays MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Best-of-seven series: Rays lead 1-0 after Sunday’s 2-1 victory in the opener.
Astros vs. Rays: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. vs. RHP Charlie Morton
McCullers finished the regular season 3-3 with a 3.93 ERA (55 IP, 24 ER) in 11 starts.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 3 HR vs. Oakland A’s in Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 5 – Astros won 10-5
- Career vs. Rays: 1-2, 3.79 ERA (19 IP, 8 ER), 24 K in 3 starts
- 2020 postseason: 0-0, 9.00 (4 IP, 4 ER) in 1 start
- Career postseason: 1-0, 3.25 ERA (36 IP, 13 ER) in 12 games, including 5 starts
Morton went 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA (38 IP, 20 ER) in 9 regular-season starts. In an interesting twist, Morton was with the Astros for two seasons (2017-18) before joining the Rays. He was Houston’s winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, working the final four innings in relief – McCullers was Houston’s starting pitcher that game.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K vs. New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday – Rays won 8-4
- Career vs. Astros (regular season): 4-6, 6.28 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 40 ER) in 11 starts
- 2020 postseason: 1-0, 1.80 ERA (5 IP, 1 ER) in 1 start
- Career postseason: 5-2, 3.50 ERA (46 1/3 IP, 18 ER) in 9 starts and 1 relief appearance
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Astros vs. Rays: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Astros
- OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out for season
- RP Roberto Osuna (elbow) out for season
Rays
- RP Oliver Drake (hand) out
Astros vs. Rays: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Astros 4, Rays 2
Money line (ML)
The ASTROS (+120) are the STRONGEST PLAY – which should be 1½ times your usual wager. They had their chances in Game 1, outhitting the Rays 9-6.
McCullers was very impressive in his final three regular-season starts, and he didn’t allow an earned run over 17 2/3 innings.
In Game 3 of the ALDS last season, Morton held Houston to one run over five innings in a Tampa Bay 10-3 victory. The ASTROS (+120) get the best of the 13-year veteran here and even the series.
New to sports betting? Every winning $1 bet on the Houston ML profits $1.20. Every $1.34 bet on the Tampa Bay ML (-134) profits $1 if it prevails.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Astros +1.5 (-189) | Rays -1.5 (+155)
PASS. The Astros’ price is too much chalk.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 8 (-115) is the way to go. Both bullpens are solid. I’ve been mentioning it throughout the playoffs that Tampa Bay’s relievers posted a 3.37 ERA during the regular season, ranking third in the majors.
Houston relievers haven’t allowed a run in five of their seven postseason games.
The UNDER cashes, again!
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
| Johnny’s 2020 MLB record | 71-49-1 |
| 2020 MLB postseason / Strongest plays | 7-12 / 3-5 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) | 113-83-3 |
| Strongest plays (all sports) | 57-32-1 |
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