The Tampa Bay Rays are facing off against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the AL Divisional Playoffs. The series officially gets underway at 2:05 p.m. ET and the game will be nationally televised on Fox Sports One.
Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros Odds
Houston (-210) is the favorite over Tampa Bay (+190) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 7.5 runs (+105 for the over and -125 for the under). There’s a runline of Rays +1.5 (-115) and Astros -1.5 (-105) for this matchup.
The Rays have gone 97-66 SU this year and are 83-80 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.8 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having lost 7.8 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 107-55 SU and 89-73 ATS. The team’s gained 6.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.8 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 73-84-5 in 2019. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 79-76-8.
Tyler Glasnow is getting the start for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Glasnow (6-1, 1.78 ERA) has racked up 76 punchouts in 60.2 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with four strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are handing the ball to righty Justin Verlander (21-6, 2.58 ERA), who has 300 strikeouts and 42 walks as well as a 0.80 WHIP. Verlander is 2-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 0.73 ERA across two starts against Tampa Bay this year.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.61 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.18 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.69, along with a K-per-9 of 9.66.
Rays hitters have slashed .253/.327/.432 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been led by Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows, who collectively have launched 55 home runs. Pham is hitting .275/.369/.455 with 22 home runs, 69 RBIs, 78 runs and 26 stolen bases. Meadows (.289/.363/.555) is up to 33 homers, 89 RBIs and 83 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have a 3.61 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.75 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.
The Houston offense is putting up 5.7 runs per contest, including 5.3 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .231/.333/.467 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Astros’ batters have been led by left fielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Brantley is slashing .311/.372/.503 with 22 home runs, 90 RBIs and 88 runs scored, and Gurriel’s line sits at .298/.343/.541 with 31 homers, 104 RBIs and 85 runs.
The Rays have gained 4.3 units and are 52-53 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 54 of those games, compared to 46 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 7.8 units and are 61-52 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 55 of those games, as opposed to 55 that’ve gone under.
Rays at Astros Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in just two of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- The Astros have won six of their last seven games SU.
- Tampa Bay has recorded 20.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.0 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
- The Rays have a team OPS of .759 this season and an OPS of .761 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .851 overall and .832 versus righties.
