Chris Archer (7-17, 4.11 ERA), seeking his 200th strikeout of the season, gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays (54-74) as they meet Doug Fister (12-8, 3.59 ERA) and the Houston Astros (68-61) in the last of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 6-2, and Houston leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 28 and will air on RTSW and SUN.
In his last start, Fister pitched 7.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out six and walking one in a 3-1 victory over the Pirates. George Springer (.261, 96 Rs, 25 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run. The Rays were unsuccessful the last time Archer pitched. He pitched well, going 5.0 innings, giving up two, striking out six and walking two in a 2-1 loss to the Red Sox.
Houston, a -131 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Tampa Bay. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. The Astros are 48-44 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -700. Over their past 10 games, Houston’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.9 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.6. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Astros, who allow only 4.2 runs per game. The Astros are the best in the AL in walks allowed at home, giving up just 2.3 per game. An area where the Astros are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.7 K’s per game.
Switching gears, the Rays come into this game with a weak win percentage of .373 when playing as the underdog (22-37) and an overall money line of -2,644. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 8.5 strikeouts per game.
In their previous five games this season, the Astros have a 3-2 record. This game will feature Archer (RHP) on the mound against the Astros, who have a 47-40 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Rays will be the right-hander Fister. They sport a 39-55 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 40% (23-35) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Houston has won 57% (34-26) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are heading in with a 16-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 10-55. The Astros have an 11-53 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston ranks in the top half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 161 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 169.
Houston and Tampa Bay both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Houston sits at 14th with 8.47 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks 15th with 8.12.
Ranking 16th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.735). Houston ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .745.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 29-66. When the Astros allow one or more homers, they have a 44-40 record.
