Thursday, August 20, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Chris Archer (10-9) vs. Collin McHugh (13-6)

The Houston Astros host the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on Thursday. The Rays send Chris Archer to the mound to face Collin McHugh of the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Tampa Bay at -102 and Houston at -108. The over/under was set at 7. The Rays, with a 65-54 run line record, cover the spread 55% of the time. They also have a 52-58 over/under record. The Astros have a 54-61 over/under record and a 64-56 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 53% of the time.

The Rays show up with a 59-60 record, including 29-31 on the road. Starting pitcher Chris Archer holds a 10-9 record with an earned run average of 2.92 and a WHIP of 1.06. The Rays are 14-11 over his 160 innings pitched and he's also given up 128 hits over that time period. Against the over/under, the Rays are 11-11 in his starts. The team is averaging 3.9 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.76 and they've given up 341 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .230 against the Rays bullpen while walking 146 times and striking out 371 times. Tampa Bay is averaging 8.35 strikeouts per game while getting 7.99 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 10th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.65.

Tampa Bay is batting .247 as a team, which is good for 24th in the league and hitting .251 away from home. Ranked at 18th in the league in on-base percentage, the Rays sit at .310 and they hold a .392 team slugging percentage. Evan Longoria leads the team in hits with 119 while the team ranks 25th in baseball with 8.27 hits per game.

Houston is 41-20 at home while holding a 65-55 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 4.09, Collin McHugh will come into this game holding a 13-6 record and a 1.30 WHIP. The Astros have a record of 15-9 over the 152 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 158 hits. Against the over/under, the Astros are 11-12 when he starts. The team is averaging 4.8 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.73 and they have given up 257 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .201 against the Astros bullpen while walking 101 times and striking out 342 times. Houston is averaging 7.67 strikeouts per game while getting 8.12 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 5th in the league in team earned run average at 3.46.

They are batting .242 as a team, which is good for 27th in the league and hitting .249 at home. Ranked at 20th in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .309 and they hold a .421 team slugging percentage. Jose Altuve leads the team in hits with 138 while the team ranks 29th in baseball with 8.09 hits a game.

The Rays have committed 67 errors and have combined for 1,038 assists and 3,184 put outs leading to a .984 team fielding percentage. The Astros have committed 63 errors on the season with 1263 assists and 3,211 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .986 on the year.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Rays are 52-58 against the over/under so far this season

The Tampa Bay Rays are 65-54 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 54-61 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 64-56 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

08/01/15 RF Steven Souza Hand Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
05/09/15 P Alex Cobb Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season
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

Houston Astros

08/19/15 CF Carlos Gomez Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday vs. Tampa Bay Rays
07/02/15 RF George Springer Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14); out for season

Guy's Pick: Take the Rays

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