Houston Astros vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Zack Littell Leads Tampa Bay Rays to Four Consecutive Victories Against Top Opponents, Eyes Win Against Houston Astros

In this matchup between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, the Astros hold a slight advantage in their overall record at 24-22 compared to the Rays' 21-25. Brandon Walter will take the mound for the Astros with a perfect ERA, while Zack Littell will be the starting pitcher for the Rays with an ERA of 4.31. Despite this, Tampa Bay is the favorite in this contest, with the opening line at -110 and the current line at -126. For a more in-depth analysis of this game, be sure to review the full Astros vs. Rays prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Astros +114 | Rays -126
• Spread: Astros +1.5 (-190) | Rays -1.5 (+165)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 56%.

Houston vs Tampa Bay Stats

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have been dominant in the AL West, winning seven of the last eight seasons. Despite a mediocre start to the season, they are only 2.5 games behind Seattle in the division. The pitching staff has been a strong point, with impressive stats such as a 3.39 ERA, a league-best 1.12 WHIP, and ranking 8th in strikeouts per game. The team has also excelled defensively, with the third-most quality starts in MLB and the fourth fewest errors committed. However, the absence of key players like Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Yordan Alvarez has been felt, impacting the team's offensive performance. Houston is currently ranked 21st in runs per game, 15th in batting average, 26th in home runs, and 26th in stolen bases. Leading players like Isaac Paredes and Jeremy Peña have shown promise, but the team's offense has struggled overall. With a power ranking of 13, the Astros are ranked 21st in offense, 7th in defense, and have a record of 25-22 this season.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays are averaging 3.9 runs per game, with a .242 batting average and 39 home runs. Their strong suit is their stolen bases, ranking 3rd in the league in that category. Key players include Aranda, Caminero, Díaz, and Lowe. Zack Littell will be starting for the Rays on Monday, with a 3-5 record, a 4.31 ERA, and a 1.12 WHIP. The team's bullpen ranks 10th with a 3.45 ERA, while on the season they have a 3.91 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Defensively, they have committed 21 errors, ranking 10th in MLB. The Rays have a power ranking of 21 and a 21-26 overall record. In their last three matchups, Houston went 0-3 against Tampa Bay.

Zack Littell Leads Tampa Bay Rays to Four Consecutive Victories Against Top Opponents

The Tampa Bay Rays have emerged victorious in their last four outings with Zack Littell on the mound, securing wins against formidable opponents such as the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays. Impressively, Littell boasts a spotless 2-0 record coupled with a 2.30 ERA in three previous starts against the Houston Astros. Despite the Astros' formidable bullpen, the unpredictability surrounding their starting pitchers makes me inclined to support the Rays in this upcoming matchup.

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