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Rays vs Astros Prediction 9/13/26 MLB Picks Today

Houston Astros (75-74) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (89-59)
September 13, 2026 1:40 pm EDT
The Line: Tampa Bay Rays -143 / Houston Astros 119; Over/Under: 8
(Get latest betting odds)

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Astros prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 13th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 89-59 this season after they won the first two games by scores of 3-1 and 3-2. In game two, Tampa Bay blew a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, but scored in the seventh to get the win. The Rays recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Palacios, who went 1-2 with two RBIs. Seymour allowed four hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Wells got the win and Baker picked up another save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay won two out of three against the Braves and split four games with the Rangers. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.77 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and a .230 opponent batting average, while they have scored 668 runs with a .260 batting average and a .328 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 19 home runs and 86 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 40 home runs and 95 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Freddy Peralta, who is 8-11 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP over 153.0 innings pitched this season. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 75-74 this year after they lost game two by a score of 2-3 on Saturday. Houston led 1-0 in the first inning, but scored just one run in the last eight innings for the loss. The Astros recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Paredes, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI. Lambert allowed six hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Blubaugh threw an inning in relief. Prior to this series, Houston won two out of three against the Phillies, but lost two out of three against the Diamondbacks before that. 

This season, Houston has a 4.51 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 665 runs with a .241 batting average and a .314 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 38 home runs and 96 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 25 home runs and 80 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Hayden Wesneski, who is 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 45.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

  • The Rays have won nine of their last 10 home games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Astros have lost five of their last six games after playing the previous day.
  • The Astros have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against the Rays following a loss.
  • The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against the Astros following a win.
  • The Rays have led after 3 innings in three of their last four day games against AL West opponents.
  • The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five road day games.

Why the Houston Astros will win

  • The Astros have won seven of their last eight games as road underdogs against AL opponents following a loss.
  • The Rays have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against AL opponents following a win.
  • The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 games following a home win.
  • The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 12 games as road underdogs against AL opponents following a road loss.
  • The Astros have won the first inning in three of their last four games at Tropicana Field against opponents that held a winning record.
  • The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against AL opponents.
  • The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five home day games.

Total Runs Facts

  • Each of the last seven games between the Astros and Rays at Tropicana Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • Each of the Astros’ last seven games as underdogs against the Rays have gone UNDER the total runs line.
  • There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Rays’ last six day games against AL opponents.
  • There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Astros’ last eight day games.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

  • Victor Mesa Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last four games.
  • Freddy Peralta has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last 12 appearances against AL West opponents.
  • Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 11 home games against AL West opponents.
  • Freddy Peralta has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

  • Hayden Wesneski has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances against AL opponents.
  • Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games.
  • Hayden Wesneski has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
  • Isaac Paredes has hit at least one home run in three of the Astros’ last four road games against the Rays.

Rays vs Astros Prediction 

Houston comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games and they have scored two runs or fewer in three straight. The Astros are 38-36 on the road this year, while the Rays are 49-25 at home. Tampa Bay has won four of their last five games, but they have scored three or fewer in three straight. The Rays are starting Peralta, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in three straight starts, while Wesneski has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four outings. Take the under here. 

David Racey's Free Pick: Under 8

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David Racey

David started writing about sports in 2015, but sports has been his passion for as long as he can remember. David spends most of his free time watching pretty much anything sports related from Baseball to Tennis and everything in between. David likes to analyze statistics and recent results to form an unbiased opinion on whatever game he is breaking down. Follow David on Twitter at @itsyerboi41

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