Rays vs. Astros Prediction
Will Chris Archer help the Rays rebound versus the Astros tonight at 8:10PM ET in Houston?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Astros are -115 money line favorites versus the Rays, who have odds of +100 to pull off a small upset. With Archer set to face Mike Fiers in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 8.5 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Archer punched out 10 while allowing three runs over six innings but settled for a no-decision Thursday against the Yankees. Archer did what he could, turning in his sixth consecutive quality start, but his bullpen let him down, denying him his eighth win. In fact, in those six straight quality starts, the 28-year-old is just 1-2. Archer has deserved better than his 7-6 record overall, posting a 3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 177/46 K/BB ratio over 22 starts; he ranks second in the American League in both innings pitched and strikeouts. Life doesn’t get any easier for Archer and the Rays next week, when the right-hander squares off with the AL West-leading Astros on Tuesday.
Fiers took a loss to the Phillies after giving up three runs in four innings on Wednesday. It took him 102 pitches to get through four innings. He struck out seven batters but gave up five hits, three walks and drilled two batters with pitches. The key blow was a two-run homer by catcher Cameron Rupp in the fourth inning. Fiers falls to 7-5 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
Bet Tonight’s Rays vs. Astros Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Rays have won five of Archer’s last seven starts versus the Astros, are 5-1 in his last six outings coming off four days of rest, and are 11-5 in his last 16 outings following a quality start in his last appearance. On the other side, the Astros are 2-6 in their last eight games following a win and are 1-5 in Fiers’ last six starts coming off five days of rest.
TUESDAY MLB PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS +100