MLB Prediction: Rays vs Astros
Major League Baseball betting sees the Tampa Bay Rays taking on the Houston Astros on Wednesday August 19th 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 (59-60) at Houston Astros (65-55)
Date: Wednesday August 19th
Time: 8:10 PM
Venue: Minute Maid Park- Houston, Texas
MLB Betting Lines: Tampa Bay Rays +163, Houston Astros -173
MLB Betting Total: 7.5
Probable Pitchers: Rays RH Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.53 ERA)
vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (14-6, 2.36)
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The Astros continue their post season push as they come in off another victory on Tuesday night. It’s almost become protocol for them as they once again won in come from behind fashion.
Marwin Gonzalez played hero this time with a 10th inning walk off home run to seal a 3-2 Astros win. The victory gave Houston 32nd come from behind win and 12th last at bat win on the season.
With the win, Houston held their 2.5 game lead over Los Angeles in the division.
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As for Tampa Bay, they now find themselves 7.5 off the pace in the AL East and 3.0 behind in a clustered Wild Card race.
The Astros will go with ace LH Dallas Keuchel in the 3rd game of a 4 game set Wednesday. The Rays will counter with RH Nathan Karns.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have been playing well as of late, but it’s getting to the time now where they have to start turning some of these good performances into wins and not tough luck losses.
Tuesday was a solid indication of that as they took the lead into the 8th inning only to have the Astros tie it and eventually win it in the 10th inning.
In the loss, Tampa Bay snapped their streak of 5 straight games with 10 hits or more. Evan Longoria remained hot though as he collected another multi-hit game and is now 5 for 10 through the first 2 contests in this series.
Trying to get the Rays back into the win column, they’ll go with RH Nathan Karns. Last time out, Karns worked just 4.2 innings as he walked 5 and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits.
The RH received a ND in a 5-3 loss to Texas.
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Over 17 of his 23 starts, Karns has allowed 2 runs or less, but has had trouble keeping the walk count down as he is averaging only 5.2 innings per start.
This will be the first time Karns faces the Astros in his career.
Houston Astros
The Astros are playing like legit contenders as they continue to pursue the top spot in the AL West. They kept pace with the Angels, who won again, as they hold their 2.5 game lead over them still.
The walk off hero. Marwin Gonzalez, is 7 for 13 over his last 5 games and has driven in 5 runs. Sunday’s walk off hero, Jose Altuve is 20 for his last 48 over his last 11 games as well.
On Wednesday, Houston will go with the guy who has been an ace all season long Dallas Keuchel. The LH brings in a solid record of 14-6 with a low ERA of just 2.36.
Keuchel has alternated wins and losses over his last 7 though, which has been the first real sign of any inconsistencies he’s had all season long.
Last time out was one of those wins for Keuchel as he allowed one run over 7.0 innings of work in a 5-1 victory against the Tigers.
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The Rays are one of the few teams that have given the Astros ace fits in his career. Keuchel is 0-3 with an ERA of 5.40 over 4 starts against these Rays.
One of those losses came back on July 11th when he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits over 7.0 innings.
MLB Betting Trends:
- Rays are 10-4 in their last 14 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Rays are 2-5 in their last 7 games as an underdog.
- Rays are 1-4 in Karns’ last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Astros are 39-15 in their last 54 home games.
- Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
4* MLB Betting Prediction: Houston ML
The Astros are hot right now and have made themselves a legit contender in the American League.
MLB Baseball Score Prediction: Houston 5- Tampa Bay 3
Keuchel finally turns things around against the Rays and grabs his first career win.
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