{"id":35134,"date":"2025-05-31T08:23:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T12:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=35134"},"modified":"2025-05-31T08:23:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T12:23:13","slug":"astros-vs-rays-prediction-may-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/mlb\/astros-vs-rays-prediction-may-31\/","title":{"rendered":"Astros vs Rays Prediction and Betting Preview | Saturday May 31"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astros vs Rays Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/td>4:10pm ET \/ 1:10pm PT<\/td><\/tr>
Stadium<\/td>Daikin Park in Houston<\/td><\/tr>
Weather<\/td>Dome<\/td><\/tr>
MoneyLine<\/td>Houston -120 \/ Tampa EV<\/td><\/tr>
Total<\/td>8.5 Runs (o -105 \/ u -115)<\/td><\/tr>
RunLine<\/td>Houston -1.5 (+175) \/ Tampa +1.5 (-200)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tampa Bay Rays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Houston Astros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astros vs Rays Prediction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOUSTON ASTROS -120 ML<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Boost