The Houston Astros dominated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 in Game 1. On Saturday, the Astros look for a commanding 2-0 best-of-5 American League Divisional Series lead. Houston sends Gerrit Cole to the mound. Will Cole send the Rays back to Tampa in an 0-2 hole? Or will the Rays even the score? Check out MLB Playoff odds, analysis, and a free pick for Rays-Astros Game 2!
Rays vs Astros 2019 ALDS Game 2 Odds, Preview and Pick
- When: Saturday, Oct. 5 at 9:07pm ET
- Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
- TV: FS1
- Radio: Rays / Astros
- Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
- Moneyline: Rays +250 / Astros -325
- Run Line: Rays +1 1/2 +125 / Astros -1 1/2 -145
- Over/Under Total: 7 1/2
Why Tampa Bay Rays are a good bet on the moneyline?
The Rays not only field the best starting rotation in baseball, they also field the top bullpen in baseball. Tampa Bay’s starters have a fantastic 3.67 team ERA. The WHIP is 1.17 while Rays pitchers produced 1,671 strikeouts. Tampa ranks third in WHIP and third in strikeouts.
Not only that, but the team has momentum heading into this series. They easily handled the Oakland A’s on the road 5-1 in the American League Wildcard Game. They struggled against Verlander on Friday. But, they can pick up their game versus Cole on Saturday.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Runs/G: 4.75
- BA: .254
- OPS: .757
- HR: 217
- SB: 94
- ERA: 3.67
- WHIP: 1.17
- KS: 1621
- Quality Starts: 53
- Errors: 87
Why Houston Astros are a good bet on the moneyline?
No team entered the MLB Postseason with the same clarity as the Houston Astros. The Astros rank first in team batting average, .274, OPS at .848, strikeouts at 1,671, and quality starts with 88. The Astros also rank third in runs per game, 5.68, and ERA, 3.68.
There’s a reason Houston is such a low-priced favorite to win the World Series in 2019. The Astros are the overall top hitting team in baseball. They sport the top rotation and the second best overall bullpen. They should have no trouble beating the Rays at home in Game 2.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Runs/G: 5.68
- BA: .274
- OPS: .848
- HR: 288
- SB: 67
- ERA: 3.68
- WHIP: 1.13
- KS: 1671
- Quality Starts: 88
- Errors: 70
MLB Playoffs Betting Trends for Astros vs Rays Game 2
- Rays are 1-6 in their last 7 divisional playoff games
- Rays are 38-18 in their last 56 overall
- Under is 5-1 in Rays last 6 overall
- Astros are 10-4 in their last 14 playoff home games
- Rays are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings
- Under is 9-3-1 in the last 13 meetings
Astros vs Rays Game 2 MLB Betting Analysis
The Rays have great starters, but their very best threw on Wednesday in the AL wildcard. Charlie Morton is scheduled to pitch in Game 3. With Tyler Glasnow scheduled for Game 1, pitching duties fall onto Blake Snell for Game 2.
Snell has a 4.29 ERA, a 6-8 record, and a 1.27 WHIP. He threw a total of 5.3 inning in September. There’s a question as whether Snell is ready for the postseason. Not only that, but the Astros hit .300 against Snell.
There’s no question that Astros starter Gerrit Cole is ready for the postseason. Cole’s likely to finish either ahead of Game 1 Houston starter Justin Verlander or right behind Verlander in the Cy Young voting.
Cole has a 20-5 record, a .89 WHIP, and a 2.50 ERA. The Rays hit Cole well with a 2.77 ERA, but Gerrit has been waiting for this moment. He won’t let it slip by him. Expect Cole to produce a gem. Houston wins by a couple in this matchup.
MLB Free Pick: Houston Astros -1 1/2 -145
