In this article we will formulate an Astros vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 31st at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros are 31-26 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 3-13 and 2-1. In their game two win, Houston trailed 1-0 late in the game, but they scored once in the eighth and once in the ninth to steal the win. The Astros recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Diaz, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI in the win. Houston started Valdez, who allowed three hits and one earned run over 9.0 innings for the complete game win.
Prior to this series, the Astros won both games against the Athletics and won three out of four against the Mariners. Houston has won five of their last six games and they are currently second in the AL West standings. The Houston pitching staff has a 3.50 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and a .218 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 235 runs with a .255 batting average and a .322 on base percentage this season. Isaac Paredes has led Houston with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, while Jeremy Pena has added seven home runs and 27 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Colton Gordon, who is 0-0 with a 5.52 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over 14.2 innings pitched this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 29-28 this year after they lost game two in this series by a score of 2-1 on Friday. Tampa Bay led 1-0 in the first inning, but they failed to score over the final eight innings for the loss. The Rays recorded three hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Caballero, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI in the loss. Tampa Bay started Pepiot, who allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 6.2 innings, while Kelly and Cleavinger both allowed one earned run in relief.
Prior to this series, the Rays won two out of three against the Twins and swept the Blue Jays in three games. Tampa Bay has won eight of their last ten games and they are currently second in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.54 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .235 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 240 runs with a .245 batting average and a .310 on base percentage this season. Brandon Lowe has led Tampa Bay with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 11 home runs and 32 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Zack Littell, who is 4-5 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP over 65.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Rays will beat the Astros
- The Rays have won each of their last six day games against American League opponents.
- The Astros have lost three of their last four games as favorites against the Rays following a home win.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Rays and Astros.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last six road games against American League opponents.
- The Astros have lost the first inning in each of their last three games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in five of their last six road games against American League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Astros’ last six home games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Twelve of the Rays’ last 15 road games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last nine Saturday games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last five games as underdogs.
Astros vs Rays Prediction
Houston was able to pick up a very low scoring win on Friday night with two late runs, but they have only scored five runs in the first two games of this series. The Astros are 21-11 at home this year, while the Rays are 11-9 on the road. Tampa Bay is battling in the AL East and their offense has been pretty solid over the last five games, but it didn’t show up on Friday night. TB is starting Littell, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Houston is going with Gordon, who has allowed three earned runs in all three of his outings this year. Tampa Bay has the pitching advantage in this game and I think their offense will bounce back, so give me the Rays on the road.