Tampa Bay Rays vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

Tampa Bay Rays Favored Over Houston Astros in 2025 American League Matchup at Daikin Park

The 2025 Major League Baseball season continues with the Tampa Bay Rays facing off against the Houston Astros in an American League matchup at Daikin Park in Houston, TX on Saturday, May 31. The Rays are coming off a dominant 13-3 victory in the series opener, and have a recent history of success against the Astros. In this Rays vs. Astros prediction, the Astros are favored with a -135 moneyline and a total of 8.5 runs. Zack Littell will be on the mound for the Rays, while Colton Gordon will be starting for the Astros. Despite an initial betting line of -118 in favor of the Astros, the odds have not shifted. The game is set to begin at 4:10 PM ET.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rays +104 | Astros -118
• Spread: Rays +1.5 (-204) | Astros -1.5 (+175)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 54%.

Tampa Bay vs Houston Stats

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays displayed an impressive performance last Thursday, scoring 13 runs on 14 hits and six walks to secure a victory against the Astros. Junior Caminero stood out with a 3-for-6 performance and six RBI. This win marked their eighth victory in nine games, with the Rays winning three consecutive series. During this nine-game stretch, they scored 57 runs while only allowing 17 in return. Currently ranked ninth in the majors in runs allowed and 16th in runs scored, the Rays have been performing well both offensively and defensively. Zack Littell is expected to start on Saturday, boasting a solid record this season and performing exceptionally well in recent starts. With a power ranking of 11, the Rays are ranked 19th in offense, 9th in defense, and hold a 29-27 season record.

Houston Astros Analysis

The Houston Astros ended their four-game winning streak with a 10-run loss last Thursday, scoring only three runs on eight hits. Bryan King gave up five earned runs in relief, and Ryan Gusto lasted just 3.2 innings, requiring six relievers to finish the game. Despite their recent success, Houston is struggling offensively, ranking 18th in the MLB for runs scored. Colton Gordon is set to pitch on Saturday with a 5.52 ERA in his three major-league starts. The Astros have a power ranking of 7 and are performing well defensively, but they need to improve their offensive output. In their recent matchup, Houston defeated Tampa Bay three times in a row.

Zack Littell Shines as Rays Favored Over Astros: A Closer Look at Pitching Matchups and Bullpen Performance

Zack Littell has shown significant improvement in his performance since April, with a notable 2.95 ERA over his last six starts. Despite a mixed performance against Houston, the current Astros lineup has had some success against him. In contrast, the Tampa Bay Rays have been demonstrating strong hitting performances against left-handed pitchers lately, making Colton Gordon a risky choice in this game. Additionally, the Rays bullpen has been impressive with a 1.71 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over the last 10 days, while the Astros bullpen has struggled with a 5.24 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Considering these factors, the Rays appear to be a favorable choice for a positive outcome in this matchup, especially with the odds in their favor.

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