Matt Andriese (4-0, 2.52 ERA) gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays (27-31) as they meet Lance McCullers (3-1, 4.23 ERA) and the Houston Astros (29-33) in the first of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 10 and will air on RTSW and SUN.
In his most recent outing, Andriese pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three runs (one unearned) and striking out five in a 7-4 victory over the Twins. Steve Pearce (.321, 20 Rs, 8 HRs, 21 RBIs) went 1 for 1 Wednesday with one RBI. The Astros were also victorious the last time McCullers pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out nine and walking three in a 5-2 victory over the Athletics. Jose Altuve (.337, 46 Rs, 10 HRs, 37 RBIs, 18 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Astros, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Notes
The Rays managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are coming in with a 15-10 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 4-23. The Astros have a 7-28 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking eighth in home runs, Houston has hit 76 this season. Tampa Bay ranks second with 88 home runs.
Ranking 18th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 178 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at second with 240.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 24-22, well-matched with the Astros who are 25-22 when hitting one or more homers.
