The Tampa Bay Rays will take on the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. This AL matchup will get underway at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to ATTSN Southwest.
Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Tampa Bay (+230) as the underdog to Houston (-255). Gamblers are able to bet on the games total with odds listed at -110 for over 8 runs and -110 for under 8. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds sitting at +105 for the Rays +1.5 runs and -125 for the Astros -1.5 runs.
The Astros are 49-26 straight up (SU) and 42-32 against the spread (ATS). The teams gained 8.4 units for moneyline bettors and 8.3 units (ATS). Houston has a – ATS mark over its last seven games and the . The Rays have gone 34-39 SU this year and are 39-33 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 4.2 units for moneyline bettors, but have gained 4.9 units ATS. Tampa Bay is – ATS over its last seven games and the .
Astros games have had an over/under record of 35-35-4 so far in 2018. Rays games have gone under 38 times, gone over 32 times and pushed on two occasions.
Nathan Eovaldi will get the nod for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Eovaldi (1-2, 4.63 ERA) has racked up 16 strikeouts in 23.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Astros will send righty Charlie Morton (8-1, 2.94 ERA) to the mound. Morton has 105 strikeouts and 33 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.14. Morton made two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 1-1 record in 2017, posting a 1-1 record with a 5.73 ERA.
Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8.42 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.72, along with a WHIP of 1.20.
Rays hitters have slashed .251/.322/.388 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.0 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 2.0 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offense has been fueled by third baseman Matt Duffy and catcher Wilson Ramos. Duffy is slashing .317/.360/.439 with four home runs, 22 RBIs and 20 runs scored, while Ramos has a .290 average with nine homers, 36 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 3.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 2.95, a WHIP of 1.05 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.2. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.76, a WHIP of 1.05 and a K/9 of 10.8.
The Houston offense has produced 5.2 runs per outing, including 6.8 per game over its last 10 games and 6.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .306/.372/.465 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer have led the Astros batters this year. Altuve is slashing .341/.396/.468 with five home runs, 37 RBIs, 47 runs and 11 steals, and Springer’s line is .278/.354/.478 with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and 55 runs scored.
Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay has tallied 10 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Houston has 15 XBH over its last five.
- Houston has posted 29.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.8 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 16 over their last 10.
