Shane McClanahan, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays (-170) as they face off against the Houston Astros (+145) at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. Expect a pitchers’ duel with the early total at 6.5 runs with the over a -115 favorite. The Rays (86-71) took Friday’s series opener 7-3, their first head-to-head victory in four games this season. Drew Rasmussen went seven innings for the win, allowing two runs on five hits. Yandy Diaz was 3 for 4 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Yordan Alvarez went 2 for 4 with two doubles and one run for the Astros (102-55).
ON THE MOUND
McClanahan (12-7, 2.51 ERA) is set to start for Tampa Bay. The LHP ranks fifth in the AL in ERA. McClanahan allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 7-1 road defeat against the Blue Jays on Sunday. He was charged with the loss, giving up six hits while striking out two and walking two. McClanahan has made one previous start against the Astros this season, a 5-0 home loss on September 20. He surrendered five runs on five hits over four innings, striking out three and walking four. Right-hander Cristian Javier (10-9, 2.65 ERA) takes the mound for Houston. He has made one prior start against the Rays this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over five innings in a 5-0 road win on September 20. He gave up one hit and walked four, while striking out six in the win. In his last start on Sunday, Javier took a no-decision on the road against the Orioles. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up one hit, striking out eight, in the 6-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged 3.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.2. Against righties like Javier this season, the Rays have a .681 OPS. Diaz is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .801 OPS in 344 at-bats. Houston is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.6 for the season, with a better slash line (.274/.340/.486). The ‘Stros have a .775 OPS against southpaws in 2022, fourth highest in the league. With a 1.056 OPS over 137 at-bats, Jose Altuve has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is 35-41 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. Houston has gone 51-25 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.2. Houston is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Minute Maid Park with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays are third in the AL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Astros lead the AL West by 15 games over the Mariners.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
