In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Astros Prediction for this MLB matchup on Friday, July 3rd in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Houston Astros Preview
The Houston Astros have a 43‑46 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the AL West. They have a 21‑23 home record and are coming off an 8‑3 home defeat against the Twins. They will face the Nationals and the Rangers next.
The Astros have a .242 batting average this season, .316 OBP and .409 Slugging percentage. Houston’s pitching staff has a 4.77 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Yordan Alvarez is the team’s best hitter with a .319 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 60 and adding a team‑high 26 home runs.
Spencer Arrighetti (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Astros, and he has a 7‑4 record, 4.00 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays have a 51‑33 record this season and are sitting in the 1st place of the AL East. They have a 20‑21 road record and are coming off a 5‑2 road win against the Royals. They will face the Yankees and the Mariners next.
The Rays have a .261 batting average this season, .339 OBP and .398 Slugging percentage. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has a 3.72 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Yandy Diaz is the team’s best hitter with a .326 batting average. Jonathan Aranda leads the team in RBI with 58, while Junior Caminero adds a team‑high 24 home runs.
Nick Martinez (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays, and he has a 7‑2 record, 2.66 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Tampa Bay Rays @ Houston Astros Betting Trends: July 3, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Spencer Arrighetti Record this season: 7-4 ERA: 4.00
- Home Record: 3-1
- Last 5 against Rays: 0-1
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won each of their last six games following a home loss.
- The Rays have lost each of their last six night games at Daikin Park following a road win.
- The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last four night games at Daikin Park following a home loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four road games against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have won the first inning in five of their last six home games against AL East opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Nick Martinez Record this season: 7-2 ERA: 2.66
- Road Record: 2-1
- Last 5 against Astros: 1-3
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last eight games.
- The Astros have lost five of their last six night games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last eight games.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six night games against AL East opponents.
- The Astros have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games at Daikin Park.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Astros’ last eight home games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Rays’ last five games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Rays’ last seven games.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Astros’ last six home games against AL East opponents.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Christian Walker has hit a home run in each of the Astros’ last two home games against AL East opponents.
- Spencer Arrighetti has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
- Spencer Arrighetti has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances.
- Yordan Alvarez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 home appearances against AL East opponents.
- Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.620) this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Junior Caminero has hit at least one home run in six of the Rays’ last seven games.
- Nick Martinez has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Nick Martinez has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against AL West opponents.
- Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last nine night games.
- Yandy Diaz ranks T3rd in the league in Hits (100) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Astros rank T29th in the league for steals this season (28).
- The Astros rank T28th in the league for triples this season (6).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (595).
- The Rays rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.261).
Rays vs Astros Prediction
The Rays are 4-2 in their last 6 meetings against the Astros but have lost two of their last three visits in Houston.
In this Rays vs Astros Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. The Rays have been the hottest team in baseball lately with 8 consecutive wins and have two earned runs or less in six of their last seven games. The Rays have the pitching edge with Martinez on the mound, who has been better on the road with a 2.18 road ERA. On the flip side, Spencer Arrighetti has been in terrible form, having given up 18 runs across his last three starts and he will face a Rays offense that has been the 4th-best against righties in the last 10 days. Take the Rays to win this one on the road.