The Tampa Bay Rays will head west to Minute Maid Park to take on the Houston Astros. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest is in line to broadcast this AL showdown.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros Odds
The Astros are 48-25 straight up (SU) and 41-31 against the spread (ATS). The teams gained 6.4 units for moneyline bettors and 8.6 units (ATS). The Rays, on the other hand, have gone 33-38 SU this year and are 37-33 ATS. In total, the teams lost 5.4 units for moneyline gamblers, but have gained 2.8 units ATS.
Astros games have an over/under record of 33-35-4 so far in 2018. Tampa Bay has been a decent under bet with a total record of 31-37-2.
The right-handed Ryne Stanek is getting the start for the visiting Rays. Stanek is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA and 22 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Astros will turn to righty Gerrit Cole (8-1, 2.40 ERA) to the mound. Cole has 130 strikeouts and 25 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 0.88. Cole did not record a start against the Rays in 2017.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8.48 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.68, along with a WHIP of 1.20.
Rays hitters have slashed .253/.324/.389 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game this year, including 3.4 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 1.6 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been paced by third baseman Matt Duffy and first baseman C.J. Cron. Duffy is hitting .318/.360/.439 with four home runs, 22 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while Cron has a .240 average with 15 homers, 36 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
For the home team, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 3.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 2.94 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.78, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.7.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.2 runs per outing, including 7.4 per game over its last 10 games and 8.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .346/.413/.605 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that span.
The Astros offense has been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer. Altuve is slashing .337/.393/.463 with five home runs, 37 RBIs, 45 runs and 10 stolen bases, and Springer’s line is .282/.356/.486 with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and 54 runs.
The Rays have lost 7.8 units and are 22-24 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 22 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 6.3 units and are 27-18 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 20 of those games, compared to 22 that’ve gone under.
Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in five of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- Houston has posted 30.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 34.4 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 20 over their last 10.
