The Houston Astros are 7-1 over their last eight games including a current streak of 4-0 over their last four games. The Astros will try to extend their winning streak to five games on Tuesday night when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of a three-game series.
Astros, Verlander favored hosting Rays on Tuesday MLB odds
The Houston Astros hope to stay hot on Tuesday night when they host the Tampa Bay Rays as clear betting favorites on the MLB odds at sportsbooks.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston is a -175 home favorite on the MLB odds in the series opener at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Justin Verlander takes the hill for the Astros against Charlie Morton and the Rays as +150 road underdogs.
Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros
When: Tuesday, August 27, 8:10 p.m. ET
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Betting Line / Total: Houston -175 / 7.5 Runs
After going 19-4 in their previous 23 games, the Astros hit a slump earlier this month losing five straight games on the road. That slump was short-lived however as Houston has now won seven of its last eight games including a 6-1 record on this homestand.
Remarkably, the one loss came against the Detroit Tigers when the Astros were -515 favorites with Justin Verlander on the mound. Verlander gave up only two hits in the game, but both were solo home runs and Houston lost 2-1 in a stunning upset.
Despite owning a 3.00 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP in the month of August, Verlander has seen the Astros go 0-3 in his last three starts.
Three teams are neck-and-neck for the final two American League wild card spots this season – Tampa Bay, the Cleveland Indians, and the Oakland Athletics. Every game will be critical for the Rays down the stretch, especially a three-game series against the Indians this weekend. But Tampa Bay can’t afford to look ahead to that series when it has three games on tap against one of the best teams in the league this week.
The Rays are 11-3 in their last 14 games on the road and 6-1 in their last seven games against Houston.
Rays at Astros Betting Total
Tuesday night’s total is set at 7.5 runs. The UNDER is 4-1 in the last five games between these two teams per the OddsShark MLB Database.
While Tampa Bay is fighting for its playoff life, Houston is in contention for the best record in baseball and the home field advantage that would come with it. This series continues on Wednesday with Gerritt Cole facing Ryan Yarbrough, and wraps up on Thursday with Zack Greinke facing a yet to be determined Rays starter.
For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify or listen to it at OddsShark.libsyn.com.
