Astros vs. Rays Thursday Prediction
The Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays met last week at Minute Maid Park but this weekend the series shifts to Tropicana Field. Will the Rays upset the Astros on Thursday night in Game 1 of the series?
Game Snapshot & Odds
969 Houston Astros (-160) at 970 Tampa Bay Rays (+145); 7.5 runs
Thursday, June 28, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Tropicana Field
TV: HOU (ATTH); TB (FS SUN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Astros as a -160 favorite. As of this writing, 64% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Astros to beat the Rays on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Astros’ McCullers Jr. strikes out nine Rays
Lance McCullers allowed three runs in six innings and struck out nine against the Royals on Saturday. All of the runs came on Hunter Dozier’s homer in the fourth. McCullers allowed a total of four hits and walked two. He’s turned in five straight quality starts.
Rays’ Stanek shuts down Blue Jays for two innings
Ryne Stanek performed admirably as the Rays’ opener on Tuesday, retiring all six batters that he faced over two shutout innings. Stanek struck out three in the process. He then turned the ball over to Austin Pruitt for 2 2/3 frames before giving way to the rest of the Rays’ bullpen. The 26-year-old had done a terrific job this season, posting a 2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 21/9 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Houston
The Astros are a perfect 5-0 in McCullers Jr.’s last five starts and are 5-2 in his last seven road outings.
Tampa Bay
The Rays have won five straight overall and eight consecutive at home.
Prediction:
Hey, why not take a shot? The Rays gave the Astros all they could handle for two games last weekend in Houston before finally getting crushed in the rubber match on Sunday. At 8-0 at home and 5-0 in their last five games, they’re worth a flier on the money line tonight, especially since the Astros are 4-11 in their last 15 games played at Tropicana Field. For whatever reason, Houston has had its hands full with Tampa Bay.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Rays +145