Tag: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros odds predictions pick betting line spread

Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (63-44) and Houston Astros (59-46) meet Sunday to close out a 3-game series between AL contenders. Game time at Minute Maid Park is slated for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Houston leads 3-2

Tampa Bay was run out of the yard in a 17-4 rout Saturday at Minute Maid. Five Rays pitchers combined to cough up 18 hits — including 5 home runs — in the defeat. The Rays have thus far split this series but are just 5-9 in the second half.

The Astros have now had 16-or-more hits 5 times since June 5. They own a second-half OPS of .821 and have jumped to 1 game behind the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

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Rays at Astros projected starters

RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Brandon Bielak

Littell (0-2, 5.11 ERA) is making his 4th start and 17th appearance. The swingman owns a 1.46 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 through 24 2/3 IP for the Rays and Boston Red Sox.

  • Last start was July 9; has pitched once in relief since, tossing 2 scoreless innings vs. Baltimore Orioles last Sunday
  • Has appeared in 55 games the last 2 seasons but just 3 as a starter
  • Expected to pitch perhaps a couple of innings before handing the ball over to a long reliever. That hurler is expected to be RHP Shawn Armstrong, a 32-year-old who has logged an 0.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP over 25 IP across 3 starts and 14 relief appearances.

Bielak (5-5, 3.62 ERA) is tabbed for his 13th start and 14th appearance. He owns a 1.45 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 through 69 2/3 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 6 H, 6 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 5 K in a 10-9 win over the Texas Rangers Monday
  • 2023 Home splits: 3-2, 3.25 ERA, 1.36 WHIP over 36 IP across 6 starts and 1 relief appearance
  • First career appearance vs. Tampa Bay

Rays at Astros odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:23 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Rays -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Astros -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+150) | Astros +1.5 (-185)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rays at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 5, Astros 4

Moneyline

Houston is just 28-22 at home. Bielak has allowed quite a lot of hard contact (10.8% barrel rate), and his ERA is tamped down by a favorable 80.5% left-on-base rate.

Tampa has lost by 7-plus runs 3 times this season, but it has earned next-time-out bounce-back wins each time.

The Rays are adept and working through a game with bullpen pieces. TAKE TAMPA BAY. FanDuel Sportsbook lists a RAYS (-108) line, and that’s a better value.

Run line/Against the spread

The equation here pulls in a lot of juice. The value in a Sunday play on the Rays is on the Moneyline.

AVOID.

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Over/Under

There are mixed signals with these clubs, mostly calling for some regression in offense and pitching and defense. There’s no profit in forcing plays. PASS.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Rays (63-43) and the Houston Astros (58-46) play the 2nd contest of a 3-game series Saturday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Series tied 2-2

The Rays squared the season series 2-2 with Friday’s 4-3 win behind All-Star LHP Shane McClanahan. Tampa Bay was outhit by an 8-to-6 margin, but the Rays collected 3 extra-base hits, with 2B Brandon Lowe coming up with the big blow in the top of the 1st inning with a 3-run homer.

The Astros have dropped back-to-back games at home and are just 3-5 in the past 8 games at Minute Maid Park. Houston hasn’t lost 3 consecutive games since a 5-game losing streak from June 15-19.

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Rays at Astros projected starters

RHP Taj Bradley vs. RHP Hunter Brown

Bradley (5-6, 5.30 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 12.0 K/9 through 71 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K in a 5-3 home loss vs. the Baltimore Orioles last Sunday
  • 2023 road splits: 2-3, 4.78 ERA (33 2/3 IP, 22 ER – 6 HR), .261 opponent batting average (OBA) in 7 starts

Brown (6-7, 4.19 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 through 105 1/3 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K in a 3-2 road win vs. the Oakland Athletics last Sunday
  • 2023 home splits: 2-4, 4.89 ERA (42 1/3 IP, 23 ER – 2 HR), .276 OBA in 8 starts
  • 2023 vs. Tampa Bay: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K in a 1-0 road win April 26

Rays at Astros odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Astros -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-175) | Astros -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Rays at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 4, Rays 3

Moneyline

The ASTROS (-140) are the play, looking for the bounce-back win after Friday’s narrow loss in the series opener. Houston is 5-1 in the past 6 games following a loss.

While Houston is just 3-6 across Brown’s past 9 outings, he was able to twirl 7-scoreless frames against Tampa Bay back in April for a road win.

Run line/Against the spread

The RAYS +1.5 (-175) will cost you, if you would like some insurance. However, Tampa Bay is a decent play on the run line. As an underdog, Tampa is 4-4 on the run line in the past 8 outings, including Friday’s victory.

On the flip side, the Astros -1.5 (+145) have failed to cover the run line in the past 4 games as a favorite, including 2 outright losses.

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Over/Under

OVER 8.5 (-115) is the lean, but go lightly.

Brown has been very giving, posting a 4.89 ERA at home this season, while Bradley has managed a 4.78 ERA on the road.

However, despite the numbers above, the Under is 3-1 for the Astros in the past 4 outings for Brown, while cashing in each of the past 3 starts for the Rays with Bradley on the bump.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Rays (62-43) begin a 3-game series against the Houston Astros (58-45) on Friday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 2-1

The Rays lost 7-1 to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, their 8th loss in the last 10 games. Despite its torrid start to the season, Tampa Bay is now 1 1/2 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East.

The Astros lost 13-5 to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, snapping a 3-game winning streak. Houston has now closed the gap in the AL West race as it is 2 games behind the Texas Rangers atop the AL West.

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Rays at Astros projected starters

LHP Shane McClanahan vs. RHP Cristian Javier

McClanahan (11-1, 2.89 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 106 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K in a 6-5 home loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
  • 2023 road stats: 6-1 in 10 starts with a 3.15 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 in 54 1/3 IP
  • Career vs. Astros: 0-2 in 2 starts with a 7.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 5.0 K/9 in 9 IP

Javier (7-2, 4.32 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.22 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 in 102 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 1 H, 6 BB, 5 K in a 4-1 road loss against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday
  • 2023 home stats: 4-1 in 8 starts with a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 7.5 K/9 in 42 IP
  • Career vs. Rays: 2-0 in 3 starts with a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9 in 16 IP

Rays at Astros odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:51 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Astros -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+145) | Astros +1.5 (-175)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Rays at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 4, Rays 3

Moneyline

Considering how these teams have performed recently, I’ll back the ASTROS (-105) at home. McClanahan has been shaky in recent starts and Houston has gone 8-2 in the last 10 meetings overall.

Run line/Against the spread

Even though I have the Astros winning this game outright, I’ll PASS on their run line at the current odds (-175).

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Over/Under

UNDER 8.5 (-115) is the pick as McClanahan and Javier take the mound. The Rays have cooled off as they’ve scored fewer than 5 runs in 9 of their last 10 games. The Under is also 2-7-1 in the last 10 meetings overall.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (98-60) and Houston Astros (92-66) close out a three-game series Thursday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rays vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Collin McHugh is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rays. McHugh is 6-1 with a 1.60 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, and 1.7 BB/9 over 62 IP across six starts and 29 relief appearances.

  • Expected to serve as the game’s opener, with LHP Ryan Yarbrough coming on for bulk innings. Yarbrough owns a 5.09 ERA through 150 1/3 IP.

RHP Lance McCullers, Jr., is the scheduled starter for the Astros. He is 12-5 with a 3.17 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, and 4.3 BB/9 over 156 1/3 IP through 27 starts.

  • Walked 4 batters and allowed 3 ER over 6 IP in his last start Sept. 23 at the Los Angeles Angels. The 3 runs marked the most McCullers had yielded in a single start since Aug. 25.
  • Owns a 2.48 ERA since Aug. 31.
  • Has held current Tampa Bay batters to a whiff-heavy .530 OPS in past meetings.
  • Makes this start on six days of rest. Has held foes to a .672 OPS overall throughout his career but on rest intervals of six days or more that number drops to .658. He’s started six games on six or more days of rest this season and held opposing hitters to a .452 OPS.

Rays at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Astros -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays +1.5 (-155) | Astros -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)

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Prediction

Rays 4, Astros 3

Money line (ML)

Houston took Tuesday’s series opener and snapped a four-game Tampa Bay win streak, but Tampa Bay battled back with a 7-0 win Wednesday. The Rays are a robust 27-13 since Aug. 16, and they’ve been cranking out impressive numbers in the batter’s box and on the mound.

The Astros headed into this potential playoff preview series on a four-game losing skid. Houston had batted just .160/.264/.272 (.536 OPS) over those four losses. Houston reached base just four times in Wednesday’s loss.

Peg McCullers as being somewhat overrated. BACK THE RAYS (+135).

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the juice-drowned prices here.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both offenses figure to be too far out over their skis with their on-paper production, and they may be in “get out of Dodge” mode with one eye on the postseason. BACK THE UNDER 8.5 (-105).

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Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (97-60) and Houston Astros (92-65) continue their three-game series Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is slated for an 8:10 p.m. ET start time. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rays vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Drew Rasmussen is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rays. Rasmussen has appeared in 25 games as a reliever and nine as a starter. He is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 over 71 IP.

  • Owns a 1.99 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 45 1/3 IP since the All-Star break.
  • The second-year MLB hurler has a 3.54 ERA over 86 1/3 career innings.

RHP Luis Garcia is the scheduled starter for the Astros. He is 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 over 150 1/3 IP through 29 games (27 starts).

  • Owns a 2.19 ERA and 0.96 WHIP at Minute Maid this season. Those home efforts also include a sharp 2.1 BB/9.
  • Has a 1.52 ERA in his last four starts at home.
  • Coming off 6 scoreless frames against the Los Angeles Angels, although he walked 3 against just 1 strikeout in that start.

Rays at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Astros -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays +1.5 (-180) | Astros -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

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Prediction

Rays 5, Astros 4

Money line (ML)

Houston took Tuesday’s series opener and snapped a four-game Tampa Bay win streak. Still, the Rays are a robust 26-13 since Aug. 16 with a .788 OPS and 3.55 ERA over that span.

The Astros headed into this potential playoff preview series on a four-game losing skid. Houston had batted just .160/.264/.272 (.536 OPS) over those four losses.

Garcia has scuffled with his command over his last three starts, and his expected ERA figures over a longer view paint a picture worthy of fading.

Side with a Rays offense which went into this series averaging 5.9 runs per game on a .797 OPS in the second half. BACK THE RAYS (+115).

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Analytics are down a bit on Tampa Bay’s overall bullpen effort this season. Consider some partial insurance on the above play by making a partial-unit play on the RAYS +1.5 (-180). A loss by 1 run gets a bit of recompense; an outright victory gets watered down a bit.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both offenses figure to be too far out over their skis with their on-paper production, and the opposite holds true for the starters in this matchup. PASS.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (97-59) and Houston Astros (91-65) meet Tuesday to lift the lid on a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The opener is slated for an 8:10 p.m. ET start time. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rays vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Michael Wacha is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rays. Through 27 games (21 starts), Wacha is 3-5 with a 5.49 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 8.9 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 in 114 2/3 IP.

  • Has posted a 6.56 ERA, 1.58 WHIP on the road.
  • Owns a 6.12 ERA in the second half.

RHP Jose Urquidy is the scheduled starter for the Astros. He is 8-3 with a 3.56 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, and 1.6 BB/9 in 96 IP over 18 starts.

  • Owns a 4.34 ERA since returning from the IL (shoulder) in early September.
  • Has posted a 3.23 ERA, 0.92 WHIP in 78 career IP at Minute Maid.
  • Threw seven shutout innings against the Rays on May 1.

Rays at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:25 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Astros -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays +1.5 (-180) | Astros -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)

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Prediction

Astros 5, Rays 4

Money line (ML)

Tampa Bay enters this series on a four-game win streak. The Rays are a robust 26-12 since Aug. 16. They have a .791 OPS and 3.54 ERA over that span.

The Astros head into this potential playoff preview series on a four-game losing streak. Houston has batted just .160/.264/.272 (.536 OPS) over those four games. Perhaps being back at home will help the scuffling offense: the Astros rank fifth in MLB with a .785 home OPS. They own an .865 OPS at Minute Maid since Aug. 20.

Wacha fits as an under-the-radar starter to leverage in an underdog role. But PASS on any price south of +115 here.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Wacha has been undone by a .329 batting average on balls in play and an 18.7% home run/fly ball rate. Peg a talented Rays team to keep this one close in a low-scoring affair.

TAKE TAMPA BAY +1.5 (-180).

Over/Under (O/U)

Both offenses figure to be too far out over their skis with their on-paper production. With rested bullpens and some sway toward the starting pitchers. BACK THE UNDER 9.5 (-125).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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