Rays vs. Astros Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

Harold Ramirez seeks to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Tampa Bay Rays (20-4) take on the Houston Astros (13-11) and Mauricio Dubon, who has a 19-game hit streak of his own. The Rays are listed as -120 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 6:40 PM ET on Wednesday, live on BSSUN from Tropicana Field.

Calvin Faucher takes the mound for Tampa Bay while Hunter Brown is Houston’s starter for the contest.

Rays vs. Astros Odds

Rays odds to win: -120
Astros odds to win: +101
Spread: Rays -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

Rays vs. Astros Promo Codes

DRAFTKINGS MLB Promo
Bet $5, Win $150 BONUS BETS
BET NOW!
CAESARS MLB Promo
Get Up To $1,500 in Bet Credits
BET NOW!
FANDUEL MLB Promo
Bet $5 Get $200
BET NOW!
BETMGM MLB Promo
$1K First Bet Offer
BET NOW!

Game Time and Information

Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Time: 6:40 PM ET
TV: BSSUN

Exclusive Apple TV Friday Night Baseball Pass
Sign Up to Watch Friday Night Baseball Exclusive on Apple TV+
Watch 7 Days For Free

Who Will Win Rays vs. Astros?

Rays and Astros Betting Trends

The Rays have won 20 of the 23 games they were the moneyline favorite this season (87%).

Tampa Bay has gone 20-3 when playing as moneyline favorites with odds of -120 or shorter (87% winning percentage).

The Astros have entered the game as underdogs nine times this season and won six of those games.

Houston has a record of 2-2 in games where bookmakers have it as underdogs of at least +101 on the moneyline.

The Rays have combined with opponents to hit the over on the total 13 times this season for a 13-8-3 record against the over/under.

Games involving the Astros have gone over the total set by oddsmakers in 15 of 24 chances this season.

Rays Stats & Insights

The Rays score the most runs in baseball (157 total, 6.5 per game).

The Tampa Bay Rays have hit an MLB-leading 48 home runs, averaging two per game.

The Rays have a league-best .282 batting average.

Tampa Bay strikes out 8.1 times per game, the sixth-fewest average in baseball.

The Rays pitching staff ranks eighth in MLB with a collective 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Tampa Bay has a 2.82 team ERA that leads all MLB pitching staffs.

Astros Stats & Insights

The Astros have scored 121 runs this season, which ranks eighth in MLB.

Houston’s 24 home runs rank 20th in Major League Baseball.

The Astros rank ninth in MLB with a .254 team batting average.

Houston ranks 12th in strikeouts per game (8.4) among MLB offenses.

The Astros strike out 9.8 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, third-best in MLB.

Houston pitchers have a combined ERA of 3.30 ERA this year, second-best in baseball.

Rays Key Players to Watch

Faucher (0-0) gets the start for the Rays, his third of the season.

Randy Arozarena is batting .348 with 24 RBI, both of which are tops among Tampa Bay hitters this season.

Yandy Diaz’s six home runs are most among Tampa Bay batters. He’s driven in 15 runs this season while slugging .566.

Wander Franco is slashing .315/.388/.576 this season for the Rays.

Ramirez has 23 hits and an OBP of .435 to go with a slugging percentage of .710 this season.

Astros Key Players to Watch

Brown (2-0) will take to the mound for the Astros and make his fifth start of the season.

Kyle Tucker has three doubles, five home runs and 18 walks while hitting .301.

Yordan Alvarez’s six home runs and 27 runs batted in both lead his team.

Alex Bregman is hitting .237 with four doubles, three home runs and 18 walks.

Jeremy Pena is hitting .229 with seven doubles, four home runs and five walks.

Rays and Astros Injuries

Rays: Ryan Thompson: 15 Day IL (Lat), Tyler Glasnow: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Jeffrey Springs: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shane Baz: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shawn Armstrong: 60 Day IL (Neck), Andrew Kittredge: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Astros: Chas McCormick: 10 Day IL (Back), Jose Altuve: 10 Day IL (Thumb), Michael Brantley: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Lance McCullers Jr.: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Parker Mushinski: 15 Day IL (Spine), Yordan Alvarez: day-to-day (Neck)