Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 10/7/19 Prediction & Odds

Astros vs. Rays Prediction

The Tampa Bay Rays need a win this afternoon at home versus the Houston Astros to keep their season alive. Can Tampa Bay get the victory today as the underdogs?

Game Snapshot 

905 Houston Astros at 906 Tampa Bay Rays

Monday, October 7, 2019

Tropicana Field at 1:05PM ET

TV: MLB Network

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Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers, the Astros are a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rays are a +135 underdog, while the total is set at 7.5 runs. As of Monday morning, 61 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Houston. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest updates.

Cole strikes out 15

Houston posted a 3-1 home win over Tampa Bay Saturday night to extend its ALDS lead to 2-0. Gerrit Cole was dominant to pick up the win as he threw 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball with four hits allowed, 15 strikeouts and one walk. Will Harris retired both batters he faced with one strikeout to notch the save. Alex Bregman helped pace the Astros offensively as he finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Carlos Correa went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Martin Maldonado was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Zack Greinke gets the start this afternoon as he enters with an 18-5 record, 2.98 ERA and 0.93 WHIP plus 187 strikeouts over 208 2/3 innings pitched.

Garcia drives in lone run

Tampa Bay lost 3-1 at Houston Saturday night in Game 2 of the ALDS. The Rays trailed 3-0 heading into the ninth before loading the bases with no one out, but were only able to score one run. Avisail Garcia finished the contest 0-for-4, but did drive in the lone run with a fielder's choice groundout. Tommy Pham ended the game 2-for-4, while Willy Adames was 1-for-2 plus a walk. Blake Snell took the loss as he gave up one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 3 1/3 innings. Charlie Morton will start today for the Rays as he comes in with a 16-6 record, 3.05 ERA and 1.08 WHIP plus 240 strikeouts over 194 2/3 innings of work.

MLB Betting Trends

Houston

The Astros are 8-1 in their last nine road games. Houston is 4-0 in the last four Greinke starts.

Tampa Bay

Tha Rays are 25-7 in their last 32 Monday games. Tampa Bay is 1-8 in its last nine ALDS games.

Prediction:

Tampa Bay can take solace in that it will be turning to its best starting pitcher in Morton, at least in terms of bulldog ability. With Tropicana Field a tough venue to play at and it being packed way more than usual for a playoff game, I like the Rays' chances here. Sure, Greinke is tough as nails but I think the Rays can get to him for a couple and Morton is good enough to match him. Tampa Bay also has a deep and rock solid bullpen it can count on. This series might be over on Tuesday, but I'm going to bet on the Rays to get their one win here.

 

MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS +135