Houston Astros at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

The Houston Astros (63-55) and Tampa Bay Rays (59-59) meet Tuesday with 1st pitch from Tropicana Field at 6:50 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Astros vs. Raysodds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 2-2

Houston took Monday's series opener 6-1, and the Astros have won 6 consecutive games. The club hit 2 HRs Monday and has hit multiple homers in 5 straight games while banging out a .975 OPS in the process.

The Rays, who are 1-3 on a current homestand, took 2 of 3 from the Astros in an Aug. 2-4 set in Houston. Tampa Bay has slashed a mere .220/.288/.365 (.653 OPS) since July 31.

Astros at Rays projected starters

LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. RHP Shane Baz

Kikuchi (5-9, 4.62 ERA) is lined up for his 25th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 in 126 2/3 IP.

• Last outing: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K in 6-4 win at Texas Rangers Wednesday
• Career vs. Rays: 5-2, 3.67 ERA (54 IP, 22 ER), 52 H, 19 BB, 66 K in 11 appearance (10 starts)
• Has pitched 6 innings or more just once since June 11

Baz (0-1, 4.3 ERA) is tabbed for his 7th start. He owns a 1.47 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 8 K/9 in 29 1.3 IP.

• Last outing: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 6-4 win at St. Louis Cardinals Thursday
• Career vs. Astros: 0-0, 3.38 ERA, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K in an Aug. 2 start

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Astros at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:04 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline: Astros -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Rays +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+125) | Rays +1.5 (-155)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Astros at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 5, Rays 4

Moneyline

Houston has won 5 straight on the road. The Rays are 1-4 across their last 5 at the Trop.

Recency bias on pitching lines makes for a green check mark in the Houston column. Kikuchi has pitched better than recent results show, while Baz's numbers swing the other way. And for the season, Kikuchi has been undone by a .336 batting average on balls in play.

The Astros lineup has been productive of late. It figures the Houston bullpen will be leaned on in this one, and that's a well-rested group, including the back end.

TAKE THE ASTROS (-135).

Run line/Against the spread

Low-total RL betting on favorites is a tough way to make money in the long run. PASS.

Over/Under

In overall team numbers, peg the Tampa offense and Houston defense and pitching as being sectors of this matchup that point to more scoring. Add in the fade assessment on Baz, and the Over is a sliver of a lean.

BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-110); consider making this one a partial-unit basis.

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