MLB Predictions: Will Astros knock off Rays on Thursday night? 8/3/17
Will the Astros knock off the Rays tonight when the teams open a new series at 8:10PM ET?
The Matchup: Rays vs. Astros, 8:10PM ET, Minute Maid Park
Tampa Bay has split over its last 10 games and is now 56-53 overall and 27-30 on the road. Houston, meanwhile, has dropped six of its last 10 games to fall to 69-38 on the year. The Astros are also 31-23 at home.
According to oddsmakers, the Astros are -135 money line favorites to win tonight at home. The Rays, meanwhile, has dropped to +125 to pull off the upset in Houston. The total has been set at 9.5 runs.
The Pitching Matchup: Blake Snell (TB) vs. Collin McHugh (HOU)
Snell is 0-6 with a 4.87 ERA on 68 1/3 innings of work. He pitched 5 1/3 innings in his most recent outing, which came against the Yankees in New York. Snell took the no-decision while allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked two.
McHugh, meanwhile, is 0-0 on the year and owns a 4.22 ERA over just 10 2/3 innings pitched this season. He was dealing with an elbow impingement that cost him all but two starts. In his last outing, he pitched six innings, allowed one run on four hits and wound up with a no-decision against the Tigers on July 29.
Our Prediction:
The Rays have dropped four of Snell’s last five road starts, are 1-7 in his last eight starts overall, and are 2-5 in their last seven games against American League West opponents. On the other side, the Astros have won nine of McHugh’s last 11 starts dating back to last season. They’re also 21-7 in their last 28 games when their opponent allows two runs or less in their previous game and are 38-18 in their last 56 games coming off a loss.
Thursday MLB Prediction: Houston Astros -135
