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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