Free MLB Pick: Astros vs. Rays Odds
Looking for Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Astros taking on the Rays on Saturday, May 1st, 2021 at Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Astros Rays free pick.
2021 MLB Handicapping
Houston Astros (14-12) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (13-14)
Date: Saturday, May 1st, 2021
Time: 4:10 PM ET
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Projected Pitchers: Jose Urquidy vs Josh Fleming
MLB Moneyline Odds: Astros -130 | Rays +110
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: OFF
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: 7.5
The Astros continue their clash with the AL East Saturday as they take on the Rays on the road at The Trop.
Houston Astros
The Astros are currently in the midst of a six-game roadtrip and are coming off an impressive win over the Rays Friday. The Astros have now won seven of their last nine games. They are within one game of the A’s for first in the AL West division.
Jose Urquidy pitches for the Astros on Saturday. The young right-hander has looked very sharp this year, allowing two runs or fewer in three of his five starts. He gave up just two runs in his last outing against the Mariners.
Urquidy has relied on his defense a lot of late, as he hasn’t been striking out many hitters. He struck out just two in his last appearance and is striking out seven batters per nine innings.
Urquidy pitched twice against the Rays last year in the playoffs and did well, posting an ERA of 2.57 against Tampa Bay. The Rays hit under .200 against him, but this will be the first time Tampa Bay sees him in the regular season.
Houston averages 4.88 runs per game. Their .252 batting average is fourth in the league and they are also top ten in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay was shut down by Lance McCullers early on Friday and never recovered, losing in blowout fashion to the Astros, 9-2. Ryan Yarbough was tagged for five runs and allowed five walks. The Astros 5-0 after four innings and cruised from that point on.
The Rays will turn to a young starter of their own on Saturday in Josh Fleming. So far this season Fleming is 1-2 with a 1.23 ERA in 14 2/3 innings of work. This is his third start of the season.
Fleming has down well in each of his last two starts. In those games he’s gone 9 2/3 innings while allowing just one run and six hits while striking out six hitters.
The Rays are second in the AL East and have bounced back from a slow start. They are averaging 4.27 runs a game, with Joey Wendle leading the team in batting average and RBIs.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Houston is 6-2 in their last 8 games overall
Free Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction:
The Astros have been heating up recently and Urquidy has done well against the Rays in the past. The Astros offense in particular has been doing a much better job than last season and is a top five offense in baseball when everything is clicking. I’m expecting more of the same result from Friday’s game and feel the Astros get it done once again on the road. The Astros win and the total goes over.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Houston Astros Moneyline, Over
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