Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays (55-53) and Houston Astros (56-52) clash in the Friday opener of a 3-game set at Minute Maid Park. The opening contest will start at 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; tied 3-3 in 2023

The Rays are 7-5 since the All-Star break and 3-1 over their last 4 games. The Astros are continuing a 9-game homestand. Since June 3, Houston is a robust 16-7 at Minute Maid.

Rays at Astros projected starters

RHP Shane Baz vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi

Baz (0-1, 3.66 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 19 2/3 IP.

• Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 3-2 loss vs. Cincinnati Reds Friday
• Did not open his season until July after missing April-June and all of 2023 after having Tommy John surgery in 2022
• Has never faced the Astros

Kikuchi (4-9, 4.75 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He owns a 1.34 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 10.1 K/9 in 115 2/3 IP.

• Last outing: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 6-5 win vs. Texas Rangers Friday
• Career vs. Rays: 5-2, 3.72 ERA (48 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 49 H, 16 BB, 55 K in 10 games (9 starts)
• Owns a 10.05 ERA over his last 3 starts
• Making his 1st start with Houston after coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade Monday

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Rays at Astros odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:24 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline: Rays +124 (bet $100 to win $124) | Astros -146 (bet $146 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-162) | Astros -1.5 (+134)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rays at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 5, Rays 4

Tampa Bay is 4-9 over its last 13 games against Houston.

The Astros are just 1-3 over their last 4 games, but went just 3-for-25 with runners in scoring position in the 3 losses. Kikuchi has been undone by a .340 batting average on balls in play, and he figures as a potential shrewd acquisition for Houston.

BET THE ASTROS (-146).

Tab the ML play as having a few cents more leverage. More cents equals more sense. PASS.

The Over has hit in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 road games.

The lean is on Kikuchi, but Tampa does a credible job against southpaws. Tab the OVER 8 (-110) with a slight lean.

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