Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros Free Preview

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The Tampa Bay Rays will be taking on the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the AL Divisional Playoffs. The Astros currently have a 1-0 lead in the series. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 9:07 p.m. ET and will be shown nationally on Fox Sports One.

Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros Odds

The Rays have gone 97-67 SU across the regular season and postseason, and are 83-80 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.8 units for moneyline bettors, despite having lost 7.8 units ATS. The Astros, on the other hand, are 108-55 SU and 89-73 ATS. They’ve gained 6.5 units for moneyline bettors and 2.8 units ATS.

Houston games have an over/under record of 73-84-5 in 2019. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 79-76-8.

Southpaw Blake Snell will get the start for the visiting Rays. Snell is 6-8 with a 4.29 ERA and 147 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 7.50 ERA against Houston this year.

The Astros are sending righty Gerrit Cole (20-5, 2.50 ERA) to the mound. Cole has 326 strikeouts and 48 walks as well as a WHIP of 0.89. Cole is 0-1 with 24 strikeouts and a 3.55 ERA over two starts against Tampa Bay this year.

Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.18 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.69, along with a WHIP of 1.14 and a K/9 of 9.67.

The Rays offense has slashed .253/.326/.431 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 3.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).

Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows continue to lead Tampa Bay’s offense. Pham is hitting .275/.369/.454 with 22 home runs, 69 RBIs, 78 runs and 26 stolen bases, while Meadows has a .290 average with 33 homers, 90 RBIs and 83 runs scored.

For the home team, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.58, a WHIP of 1.08 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.5. The bullpen has a 3.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.

The Houston hitters are putting up 5.7 runs per contest, including 5.6 per game over its last 10 games and 5.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .244/.358/.478 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.

The Astros’ hitters have been led by outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Brantley is hitting .313/.373/.503 with 22 home runs, 90 RBIs and 89 runs scored, while Gurriel’s line sits at .299/.344/.542 with 31 homers, 105 RBIs and 85 runs.

The Astros are coming off a 6-2 victory in the prior game of this series.

Rays vs. Astros MLB Tip

Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER

Betting Trends

  • Tampa Bay has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 21 XBH over its last five.
  • The Astros have won seven of their last eight games SU.
  • Houston has recorded 23 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 23 over its last five.
  • The Rays have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 22 over their last 10.
  • The Rays have an OPS of .757 this season and an OPS of .758 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .851 overall and .831 against righties.