MLB Prediction: Rays vs Astros
Major League Baseball betting sees the Tampa Bay Rays taking on the Houston Astros on Monday August 17th at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all MLB season long so stay tuned for more FREE MLB baseball predictions.
Tampa Bay Rays (58-59) at Houston Astros (64-54)
Date: Monday August 17th
Time: 8:10 PM
Venue: Minute Maid Park- Houston, Texas
MLB Betting Lines: Tampa Bay Rays +149, Houston Astros -162
MLB Betting Total: 7.5
Probable Pitchers: Rays RH Erasmo Ramirez (9-4, 3.59 ERA) vs. Astros LH Scott Kazmir (6-7, 2.12)
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The Astros continue their 10 game home stand Monday night when they welcome in the Tampa Bay Rays for the first of 4 on Monday night. Houston comes in a winner Sunday afternoon as Jose Altuve knocked a walk off RBI single to secure a 6-5 win over the Astros.
As for the Rays, they come in off getting swept by the Texas Rangers over the weekend. The Rangers scored 22 runs in the 3 game series.
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Prior to the weekend sweep, Tampa Bay had won 7 of 9. Now, they sit 6.5 behind in the AL East and 2.5 behind a crowded AL Wild Card.
Tampa Bay Rays
With the way the AL East is working out and the gap now between the Rays and first place, the AL Wild Card may be the most realistic option for them here. The AL East only got stronger at the trade deadline and Rays essentially stood pat and now see those teams continuing to surge, while the Rays fall.
That being said, sitting just 2.5 games back in the Wild Card race isn’t bad at all given the amount of time left.
The Rays will send out RH Erasmo Ramirez to try and stop the losing ways for the Rays. Their starting pitching was a mess over the weekend as they were knocked around by the Rangers.
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Ramirez put the end to his own losing streak last time out as he tossed 7 scoreless innings against the Braves. The win put the brakes on a 5 game losing streak for Ramirez.
Back on July 10th, Ramirez allowed just 1 run on 4 hits over 6 innings of work. Ramirez got the win in the decision.
Houston Astros
After enduring a 1-7 stretch and looking the Astros of old, Houston has responded in a big way. The Astros have now won 3 of 4 and are coming off a walk off win thanks to Jose Altuve yesterday afternoon.
Now, they’ll send out deadline acquisition Scott Kazmir to the hill to take on his former team in Monday’s season opener.
Kazmir, who pitched for Tampa Bay early in his career, hasn’t been what the Astros traded him to be just yet. Since being acquired, the LH is 1-2. He’s allowed 7 runs (only 3 earned) over his last 2 starts combined, but has been on the losing end of both.
Kazmir has allowed 2 earned runs or less in 10 of his last 11 starts, but has been victimized by bad offense and poor timed errors.
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He faced the Rays back on May 22 as he allowed 3 runs in 5.2 innings receiving the loss. The loss dropped Kazmir to 1-3 in his career against the Rays.
MLB Betting Trends:
- Rays are 15-5 in their last 20 games vs. a left-handed starter..
- Rays are 5-12 in their last 17 games as a road underdog.
- Rays are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a loss.
- Astros are 38-14 in their last 52 home games.
- Astros are 10-4 in their last 14 during game 1 of a series.
4* MLB Betting Prediction: Houston ML
The Astros are the real deal this season. Kazmir has pitched much better than his 1-2 record with the Astros and should bounce back Monday night.
MLB Baseball Score Prediction: Houston 5- Tampa Bay 1
The Astros send the Rays to their 4th straight loss Monday night.
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