Tampa Bay Rays (29-27) vs. Houston Astros (30-26)
May 30, 2025 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -166 / Tampa Bay Rays 140; Over/Under: 7.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate an Astros vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 30, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (29-27, 11-8 Away) are playing their best baseball of the season after winning eight of the previous nine games. The Rays won a series against the Astros, swept the Blue Jays, and beat the Twins. Tampa Bay destroyed Houston in Game 1 of the current series. In that 13-3 victory, Junior Caminero led the offense with a career-high six RBI, while Shane Baz pitched for 5.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Edwin Uceta was credited with the win.
This season, the Rays average 4.27 runs per game (16th in the MLB) on a .247/.312/.382 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.57 ERA (9th) and 1.17 WHIP (6th). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .256 batting average, 11 home runs, and 32 RBI this season.
Ryan Pepiot will take the mound for the Rays on Friday. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 3-5 record in 11 starts this year with a 3.55 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 63.1 innings.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros (30-26, 20-11 Home) were on a four-game winning streak after claiming a series against the Seattle Mariners and Athletics, but failed to win fifth in a row as the Rays were too good in Game 1 of this series. In a 13-3 defeat, Ryan Gusto pitched for 3.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Bryan King took the loss.
This year, the Astros average 4.16 runs per game (19th in the MLB) on a .255/.323/.394 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.55 ERA (8th) and 1.17 WHIP (5th). Isaac Paredes leads the Astros with a .262 batting average, 11 home runs, and 32 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Astros is Framber Valdez, who is 4-4 in 11 starts this season, with a 3.39 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 69.0 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the last 10 games between the Rays and Astros have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rays’ last five games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last nine Friday night games at Daikin Park.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last eight Friday night games against American League opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Astros rank 2nd in the league for hits allowed this season (400).
- The Astros rank 5th in the league for strikeouts against this season (424).
- The Rays rank T27th in the league for triples this season (3).
- The Rays rank 27th in the league for home runs allowed this season (75).
Astros vs Rays Prediction
The teams have traded victories in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H duels. This season, the Rays lead the series 3-1 and are on a three-game winning run. Ryan Pepiot already faced the Astros this year and allowed three runs in a 4-3 loss. Pepiot registered four consecutive quality starts, including a shutout of the Blue Jays in his most recent start. Framber Valdez, on the other hand, also has four straight quality starts, allowing just six runs in the process. Eight of the last ten H2Hs went Under, and I am backing Under once again here.
