Astros vs Rays Prediction and Betting Preview | Saturday May 31
The first two games of this weekend’s Astros vs Rays series have been polar opposites: 16 runs on Thursday followed by a complete-game pitchers’ duel on Friday. What can we expect on Saturday? The GoldSheet team shares its thoughts on this afternoon’s American League clash in Houston.
Astros vs Rays Betting Preview
| Time | 4:10pm ET / 1:10pm PT |
| Stadium | Daikin Park in Houston |
| Weather | Dome |
| MoneyLine | Houston -120 / Tampa EV |
| Total | 8.5 Runs (o -105 / u -115) |
| RunLine | Houston -1.5 (+175) / Tampa +1.5 (-200) |
Tampa Bay Rays
Rays’ starter Zack Littell has been someone we’ve looked to play against a few times this season. His strikeout rate has dropped from 21.5-percent to 16.2-percent. His hard-hit rate has climbed from 39.2-percent to 44.4-percent. His expected weighted on-base average (.351) is 30 points higher than his actual weighted on-base average (.321).
Tampa is playing its home games at a hitter-friendly park this season, yet the Rays’ offense has struggled to find its groove. The Rays are hitting .221 against left-hand pitching this season (No. 22 in MLB) with a .295 on-base percentage (No. 21) and an 86 wRC+ (No. 15).
Houston Astros
Houston’s offense has gotten hot in the month of May. Since May 1, the Astros are hitting .275 against right-hand pitching (No. 1 in MLB) with a .336 on-base percentage (No. 5) and a 117 wRC+ (No. 5).
The Astros’ current roster is hitting .294 in 72 plate appearances against Littell, led by Jose Altuve who is 6-for-10 with a walk against the Rays’ starter.
Astros vs Rays Prediction
Houston’s Framber Valdez threw a complete game on Friday, so the Astros’ bullpen is fully-rested for this one. Houston has gone 19-7 in its last 26 home games.
HOUSTON ASTROS -120 ML
Daily MLB Stat Sheet
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