Houston Astros (11-10) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (19-3)
April 24, 2023 6:40 pm EDT
The Line: Tampa Bay Rays -135 / Houston Astros +125; Over/Under: +8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Monday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. Houston is fresh off a weekend series versus the Braves. After wins in the first two installments, on Sunday the Astros completed the sweep with a three-run victory. As for Tampa Bay, they played the White Sox in their last series. The Rays also won the first two games, then on Sunday Tampa Bay got their sweep with a three-run win as well. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston Astros
The Astros took a 6-4 win over the Braves on Friday, then won 6-3 in game two. In the Sunday finale Houston scored all their runs in the final two frames in a 5-2 victory. Starter Cristian Javier put up 6.0 innings with one earned on three hits and two walks with 10 Ks.
Jose Urquidy will take the mound for the Monday start. This year Urquidy is 1-1 with a 3.66 ERA and 17 Ks in 19.2 innings over four starts. In his career Urquidy is 25-14 with a 3.73 ERA in 67 games (64 starts).
Tampa Bay Rays
Over on the Tampa Bay side, they took out the White Sox 8-7 on Friday and 4-3 in game two. In the finale, the Rays jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings and held on for the 4-1 win. Starting pitcher Zach Eflin put up 5.0 innings with one earned on three hits.
For the starter job in the Monday game, Tampa Bay is going with Taj Bradley. Over two starts this year Bradley is 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 17 Ks in 10.1 innings of work.
The Astros are 47-21 in the last 68 overall and 46-22 in the rest 68 road games. Houston is 5-2 in their last seven Monday games.
Meanwhile, the Rays are 5-2 in their last seven in game one of a series and 18-3 in their last 21 overall. Tampa Bay is 38-13 in their last 51 at home.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with Tampa Bay. This should be a pretty good matchup however, and I do like Urquidy to pitch well. In his last start Urquidy put up four earned in 4.1 innings during a loss, but he had 11.1 combined innings with just one earned over his previous pair. As for Bradley, there’s not much to complain about; he’s been great in his first two starts. On Sunday Tampa Bay had only five hits, but their pitching staff held the Sox to just three on the other side. Another good defensive performance like that and the Rays should be in decent shape.
