Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.17 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 3.09 ERA) start in the second of a four-game series between the Houston Astros (64-55) and the Tampa Bay Rays (59-59) at Minute Maid Park. The Rays won the last game 9-2 and Tampa Bay leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 18 and can be seen on RTSW and MLBN.
Feldman pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out four and walking one in a 2-0 win over the Giants. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. Odorizzi went 6.0 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out six and walking one in a 9-6 defeat to the Braves in his last outing. Logan Forsythe (.278, 47 Rs, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs.
Houston is a -132 favorite against Tampa Bay and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of +504 and a record as the favorite of 37-27. The Astros have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.4 runs per game. The Astros lead the MLB in home runs with 162. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 89 bases. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.39. The Astros are the fifth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.20 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Tampa Bay has a 29-34 record and an overall money line of -372. Offensively, the Rays have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.7 runs per game by averaging 4.9 during that stretch. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rays are the best in the AL with an average of 7.9 hits allowed per game. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.2 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Rays have the edge in the season series, 4-0. The Astros have a 41-34 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Odorizzi takes the mound. Feldman (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 38-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Under
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 25-20, while Tampa Bay is 24-22.
The Tampa Bay batters brought in a solid 15 hits last game. Houston has a record of 1-2 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 42-17. The Astros have a 45-13 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 446 this season. Houston ranks eighth with 517 runs.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 318 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 363.
The Astros are 52-34 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rays are 43-31 when they hit at least one homer.
