Friday, June 20, 2014, 6:10 PM on CSNH, SUN

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

Houston Astros - Cosart, J (6-5) vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Price, D (5-6)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the Houston Astros will send Jarred Cosart to the hill to take on the Tampa Bay Rays and David Price.  Cosart makes his 15th start as Price makes his 16th. 

Jarred Cosart notched his 2nd straight win the last time out and that took his record above .500 to 6 – 5 with a 4.16 ERA.  In that outing, Cosart gave up 3 runs on 9 hits (including a homer) in 7 innings of work.  He is already way ahead of his results from his rookie season when he was just 1 – 1 with a 1.95 ERA in 10 starts.

Las t season, Cosart won his only start against the Rays after tossing 8 innings of scoreless ball and allowing only 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2.  His last start was against Tampa Bay and he had a solid outing.  If he can repeat the effort from just a few days ago, he could take another one over the Rays.

David Price got the win in his last outing and that gave him a 5- 6 record with a 3.93 ERA coming into this game.  In that start, Price went 8 innings and surrendered 3 runs on 5 hits (including 2 homers).  He struck out 10 without issuing a single walk.  He ended a two game slide as he notched his 3rd straight start with 10 or more strikeouts. If he can string together some more quality starts he should be able to post slightly better numbers than 2013’s 10 – 8 record and 3.33 ERA in 27 starts.

Last season, Price was 1- 1 with a 1.13 ERA in 2 starts against the Astros.  His last start was against Houston and if he turns in another dominant performance like his last start, he could add another win.    

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 33-36-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Houston Astros is -0.5

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 36-33-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is -0.7

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

06/16/14 P Josh Fields Forearm 15-day DL (6/15)
05/14/14 P Anthony Bass Oblique 15-day DL (5/11)
04/26/14 P Matt Albers Shoulder 15-day DL (4/22)
03/31/14 P Alex White Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Asher Wojciechowski Side 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Jesse Crain Bicep 60-day DL (3/21)

Tampa Bay Rays

06/01/14 RF Wil Myers Wrist 15-day DL (5/31)
05/26/14 LF Brandon Guyer Thumb 15-day DL (5/25)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 60-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 P Jeremy Hellickson Elbow 15-day DL (3/30)

Josh's Pick: Take Houston

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald