MLB Odds: Houston Astros Vs Tampa Bay Rays Betting Analysis & Prediction

Over the course of a 162-game season, every team will experience highs and lows, usually in the form of winning or losings streaks. The teams that are able to limit the number of losses and lows are generally the ones that will still be playing beyond the end of the regular season. While we are still very early in the season, we are already seeing some of those positive and negative runs coming into play. The Tampa Bay Rays have very much been on the positive side of things, as they are off to an amazing start to the season, which we will get into in just a moment. Things have not been quite as good for the Houston Astros, but they are starting to get into a groove and will almost certainly be playoffs bound at the end of the regular season. These two teams will meet for a 3-game series starting on Monday, so let’s take a closer look at MLB betting analysis for both teams.

Houston Astros at Tampa Bay Rays Series Info

When: Monday, April 24 to Wednesday April 26
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco
TV/Streaming: MLB Network Alt., MLB.tv

Why bet on the Houston Astros

At the midway point of last week, the Houston Astros rather surprisingly found themselves sitting below .500. They changed that with a solid run of form, sweeping the Atlanta Braves to end the week sitting at 12-10, which leaves them 2 ½ games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. This is a team that has been high on offense, as we expected, scoring 113 runs thus far in the season. They have not been as solid on defense, surrendering 86 runs, but I think that is something they will improve upon as the season progresses. The biggest surprise with the Astros is that they have struggled at home, going just 6-7, while putting together a 6-3 road record. That might well help their cause for what is certainly their toughest road trip to date. Not much to go on versus teams from other divisions, but the Astros are 2-1 versus teams from the East.

Bet Astros to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Why bet on the Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have become a regular playoff team over the last few seasons, and while the expectation was that they might keep that run alive this season, I’m not sure anyone saw them being as good as they are. The Rays got their season off to a ridiculous start, winning 13 straight games before finally taking their first loss of the year. They have since taken their record to 19-3, building a 4 ½ game lead atop the AL East. It’s an amazing start but keeping up this pace is going to be tough, as they need only look at what the Yankees did last season to prove that point. The Rays have been great on offense and defense, and are currently sitting with a +88 run differential, which they got through scoring 149 runs and surrendering just 61. They are a perfect 13-0 at home, but that perfect record may be in trouble over the next few days.

Bet Rays to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Expert Pick and Series Prediction

Like we said, the Rays have been perfect in their own building. All great streaks must come to an end at some point, which is what I think happens here. I still like the Rays to win the series, but I don’t see them doing it without taking a loss. Rays to win the Series 2-1.