Dallas Keuchel (8-12, 4.64 ERA) and Blake Snell (4-6, 3.17 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (67-61) and the Tampa Bay Rays (54-73) at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 5-4, and Houston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 27 and can be seen on RTSW and SUN.
Keuchel pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 5-3 win over the Orioles. Snell went 3.2 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out three and walking five in a 6-2 defeat to the Red Sox in his last outing. Evan Longoria (.288, 68 Rs, 30 HRs, 79 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Houston is a -174 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 -900 and a record as the favorite of 46-44. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Houston. The Astros are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 4.2 runs per game. The Astros are the top team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.3 walks per contest to their opponents this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Astros, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.7.
Over in the other dugout, Tampa Bay is coming in with an overall money line of -2,444 and a disappointing record of 22-35 as the underdog. The Rays allow 4.3 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 2.7 runs per game during that span. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.5 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Astros have a 19-21 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Snell takes the mound. Keuchel (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 15-18 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Houston is 33-26, while Tampa Bay is 23-34.
The Rays are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Astros have a record of 22-35 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 36-12. The Astros have a 50-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 23rd, Tampa Bay sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 529 this season. Houston ranks in the top half at 13th with 583.
Ranking 19th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 372 this season. Houston ranks in the top five with 453.
The Astros are 58-35 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rays are 46-45 when they hit at least one homer.
