The Tampa Bay Rays (19-3) and their MLB-best lineup are set to host the Houston Astros (12-10) at Tropicana Field on Monday for the first of a three-game series. The Astros are in the midst of a six-game road trip.
They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Braves, taking the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Truist Park for their fourth straight win. Jake Meyers was 2 for 3 with a double and one run. Kyle Tucker added one run on two hits.
The Rays are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the White Sox, taking the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Tropicana Field for their fifth straight win. Luke Raley went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Astros won five of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Minute Maid Park at the end of September.
ON THE MOUND
Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.35 ERA) is slated to start for Houston. The RHP allowed four runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, a 4-2 road defeat against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He took the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out four and walking two.
RHP Taj Bradley (2-0, 5.40 ERA) will toe the rubber for Tampa Bay. In his last start on Tuesday, Bradley got the win on the road against the Reds. He threw 5.1 scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out nine and walking one in the 10-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Houston offense is averaging 5.1 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .254/.330/.389. Tucker leads the team in OPS at .939. The center fielder is slashing .288/.404/.534 with five home runs, 17 RBIs, and nine runs over 22 games. Against righties like Bradley this season, the ‘Stros have a .697 OPS.
Tucker also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .981 OPS in 51 at-bats.Tampa Bay is slashing .286/.358/.537 for the season and averaging 6.8 runs per game, best in MLB. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (1.003).
The shortstop has six home runs, 15 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .310/.412/.592. The Rays have ann .886 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a 1.156 OPS over 47 at-bats, Josh Lowe has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is on a four-game winning streak away from Minute Maid Park, bringing their record to 6-3 in 2023. The ‘Stros have scored 5.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.4 runs. Tampa Bay has won 13 in a row at their home ballpark.
The Rays are 13-0 at home this season, averaging 7.2 runs per game while surrendering 2.4. In the last 10 meetings at Tropicana Field, each club has won five, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.6-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros are second in the AL West, two games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
