Rays vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 28 (9/28): MLB

Rays vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 28 (9/28): MLB

  • Ajay
  • Ajay
  • Sep 28, 2021, 10:57:25 AM

Credit: photo by Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 8:10 p.m. EST
Rays money line +123
Rays run line +1.0 (-114)
Astros money line -130
Astros run line -1.5 (+142)
Over / under 9.5 (+100)

 

Key stats
  Rays Astros
Record 97-59 91-65
Road / home record 45-30 47-28
Last 10 record 7-3 5-5
Streak W4 L4
Over / under record 82-66-8 83-65-8
Runs / game 5.31 5.34
Runs allowed / game 4.09 4.03

 

Preview

In a matchup of 1st vs 1st, the Rays are in Minute Maid Park for a three-game road trip against the Astros.  The Rays clinched the AL East division crown for the second year running.  They're currently on a four-game winning streak and have won 5 of their last 6.  The Astros are only a few games out from reclaiming the AL West division from the A's.  Houston currently leads the division sitting 5 games ahead of the Mariners who are a game ahead of the Athletics in a tight Wild Card race.  The Astros have lost 4 on the bounce and were actually swept by the A's in their last series.  This matchup is a good opportunity for the Astros to close out the division gain an automatic playoff berth.

Pitching matchup

Rays

Michael Wacha (3-5, 5.49 ERA) Michael Wacha is scheduled for his 22nd start of the season.  The 9th-year pitcher who is in his first year as a Ray has a career 4.18 ERA and in 2021 has a 5.49 ERA and 1.39 WHIP.  Wacha played the Astros once this season and pitched for 2.2 innings surrendering 5 hits for 4 ERs.  He also struck out 3 batters and walked none. 

Astros

Jose Urquidy (8-3, 3.56 ERA) Jose Urquicy is slated to make his 19th start of the season tonight for the Astros.  Urquidy has a 0.99 WHIP and 3.56 ERA in 2021 which isn't far from his career total ERA of 3.51.  In one game against the Rays this season, he pitched 7 innings giving up 4 hits for no ERs and had 1 walk compared to 5 strikeouts.   

Prediction

These are two of the best records in the MLB and the top two scoring teams in the league have.  They played at the end of April heading into May and the Rays won a high-scoring series 2-1.  The Rays bats have also been in red-hot batting form recently as well, averaging 6.25 runs on their current winnings streak.  The Astros have been a bit more inconsistent at bat but still as the top-scoring team in the league, the potential for runs is always present.  With the recent form of the Rays though, the over looks achievable. 

PICK: Over 9.5 (+100)

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