Sunday, July 12, 2015

Tropicana Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Lance McCullers (4-2) vs. Matt Moore (0-0)

The Houston Astros visit Tropicana Field on Sunday to play the Tampa Bay Rays. Lance McCullers is the probable starter for the Astros and he'll face Matt Moore of the Rays. The opening line for this matchup has Houston at +101 and Tampa Bay at -111. The over/under was set at 6.5. The Astros have a 41-44 over/under record and a 51-38 run line mark, meaning they cover 57% of the time. The Rays have a 39-45 over/under record and a 49-40 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 55% of the time.

The Astros come into this game with a 49-40 record, and they are 21-24 away from home. Lance McCullers has an earned run average of 2.16 and is 4-2 so far on the season while having a 1.10 WHIP. The Astros are 4-6 over his 58.1 innings pitched and he's also given up 43 hits over that time period. Against the over/under, the Astros are 3-5 in his starts. His teammates are averaging 3.7 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.70 and they've given up 184 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .194 against the bullpen while being struck out 256 times and walking 80 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 7.96 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.68 batters per nine. They are 8th in the league in team earned run average at 3.58.

Houston ranks 25th in the league in team batting average at .241 while hitting .247 on the road. Ranked at 21st in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .307 and they hold a .421 team slugging percentage. They rank 27th in baseball with 8.09 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 97.

With a 44-45 overall record, Tampa Bay will come into this game 21-25 at home. Matt Moore is starting this game 0-0 for the season with an earned run average of 8.00 and a WHIP of 2.11. The Rays have a record of 0-2 over the 9 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 15 hits. Against the over/under, the Rays are 2-0 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 4.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 4.05 and they have given up 273 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .240 against the Rays bullpen while being struck out 280 times and walking 119 times this season. As a team, Tampa Bay has allowed 7.99 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.33 batters per nine. They are 10th in the league in team earned run average at 3.61.

They rank 26th in the league in team batting average with a .240 average while hitting .240 at home. Ranked at 22nd in the league in on-base percentage, the Rays sit at .305 and they hold a .379 team slugging percentage. They rank 28th in baseball with 7.99 hits per game and Evan Longoria leads the team with 87.

The Astros have committed 46 errors and have combined for 952 assists and 2,385 put outs leading to a .986 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .986 team fielding percentage while committing 45 errors, accumulating 793 assists and compiling 2,395 put outs.

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 41-44 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 51-38 against the run line so far this season

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Rays are 39-45 against the over/under so far this season

The Tampa Bay Rays are 49-40 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

07/02/15 RF George Springer Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list ((7/1)
05/29/15 P Scott Feldman Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/27)
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/14)
04/28/15 SS Jed Lowrie Thumb Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/28)
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Side Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14)

Tampa Bay Rays

07/09/15 P Jake Odorizzi Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/6); expected to start Saturday vs. Houston Astros
07/07/15 RF Steven Souza Finger Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
05/31/15 2B Tim Beckham Hamstring Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/31)
05/10/15 P Drew Smyly Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/6), out for season
05/09/15 P Alex Cobb Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season
05/03/15 CF Desmond Jennings Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/26)
04/29/15 P Kirby Yates Pectoral Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/29)
04/18/15 P Jeff Beliveau Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/22), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Rays

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 Tony Sink