Astros vs. Rays Prediction
Will the Houston Astros find a way to edge the Tampa Bay Rays again when the two continue their weekend series tonight at 7:10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
921 Houston Astros at 922 Tampa Bay Rays
Friday, June 29, 2018
7:10PM ET – Tropicana Field
TV: SUN (TB); ATSW (Hou)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Astros are favored on the road tonight, as they are getting odds of -190 to win. The Rays are listed with a money line of +160 to win, while the over/under total has been set at 7 runs. The public betting for this game currently has 68 percent going on Houston on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Astros sneak out win in opener
The Astros won the opener in this series on Thursday by a 1-0 score. Houston has now won three straight and five of its last six. Houston is 55-28 overall this season and 30-11 on the road. The Astros are putting up 5.20 runs per game this season while allowing 3.07 per game.
Gerrit Cole will get the start for the Astros this evening. If not for his teammate, Justin Verlander, Cole would be a top Cy Young contender. He is 9-1 through 16 starts with a 2.56 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Cole has recorded 146 strikeouts and 33 walks over 105.2 innings on the mound.
Rays’ streak ends
Tampa had a five-game win streak put to an end in Thursday’s 1-0 loss. Out of their last six games, they have held opponents to 1 run or less in five of them. Tampa is now 39-41 overall and 20-17 at home. The Rays are averaging only 3.95 runs per game while allowing just 3.94.
Wilmer Font takes the mound for Tampa this evening. He has started just four games but appeared in 18. He has a 1-1 record with a 6.46 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. Over 39.0 innings of work, Font has 33 strikeouts with 14 walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Houston
The Astros have won 14 of Cole’s 16 starts this year and seven of his last eight starts on the road. Houston also has won 40 of its last 58 road games overall.
Tampa
Tampa has still won eight of its last nine home games despite Thursday’s loss. They also have won five of their last six at home against a right-handed starter.
Prediction:
Font has terrible numbers for the year, but he has dropped his ERA by eight runs since coming over from Oakland in May. Still, he isn’t one to go long in games and I don’t see him being able to best Cole. Tampa had its chance for an upset on Thursday, but couldn’t plate a run. That could be the same issue tonight.
The Pick: Houston Astros -190