In the third of a four-game series between the Houston Astros (65-55) and the Tampa Bay Rays (59-60) at Minute Maid Park, Dallas Keuchel (14-6, 2.36 ERA) and Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.53 ERA) get the ball. The Astros won the last game 3-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and will air on SUN and RTSW.
In his last start, Keuchel pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out eight and walking one in a 5-1 victory over the Tigers. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. The Rays were unsuccessful the last time Karns pitched. He tossed 4.2 innings, giving up two runs, striking out four and walking five in a 5-3 loss to the Rangers. Logan Forsythe (.280, 47 Rs, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs, 7 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Rays, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Houston is a considerable -182 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Astros are 37-28 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +345. Houston has averaged 2.9 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 4.3. The Astros lead the majors in home runs with 163. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking third in all of baseball with 90 steals. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Astros lead the AL in ERA with a 3.41 team average. The Astros don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking third in the league with a 1.20 WHIP.
On the other side, the Rays have a record of 30-34 when they are the underdog and are -223 overall with the money line. They also allow just 7.9 hits per game, good for tops in the AL. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.2 strikeouts per game.
In their previous five games this season, the Rays have a 4-1 record. The Astros will take on a right-hander (Karns) in this game and have a 41-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rays will be the left-hander Keuchel. They sport a 21-13 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 26-20, while Tampa Bay is 24-23.
The Rays are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 12 strikeouts. The Astros have a record of 11-13 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 42-17. The Astros have a 46-13 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 448 this season. Houston ranks seventh with 520 runs.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 320 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 366.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 53-34. When the Rays hit at least one homer, they have a 43-32 record.
