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The 11-5 Houston Astros visit the 9-8 Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of a three-game set at Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, Florida tonight. The first pitch at Tropicana Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET. The Astros are listed as an -113 road fav with the O/U line on the MLB betting board at 8 runs.
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<p>
In their last game the Astros beat the L.A. Angels 2-1. In the game the Astros scored two runs on only three hits with Carlos Beltran hitting his first HR of the season and the Angels scored one run on six hits.
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In their last game the Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 8-1. In the game the Rays scored eight runs on 11 hits and the Tigers only scored one run on five hits. Erasmo Ramirez got his 2nd win of the season for Tampa Bay going five innings and only allowing one run on two hits.
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<p>
This season the Astros rank 16th in the Majors in runs scored and 5th in team ERA.
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The Rays rank tied for 2nd in the Majors in runs scored and 11th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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<p>
Houston: Mike Fiers (0-1, 5.40 ERA)<br />
Tampa Bay: Alex Cobb (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
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<p>
Mike Fiers takes the hill for the Astros in this game and in his last outing he was lit up for five earned runs in only four innings of work, but the lineup bailed him out in the 10-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. However, the lineup failed him in his previous start where he only gave up one earned run in six innings in a 5-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. In two career starts against the Rays, which were both last season, Fiers is 1-0 with an ERA of 3.38. Houston has won his last four road starts and seven of his last 10 starts overall.
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<p>
Alex Cobb gets the nod for the Rays tonight and in his last start he gave up four earned runs in five innings in a 7-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He has given up four earned runs in each of his last two starts, which were both Tampa Bay losses. Cobb;s only career start against Houston came in 2014 when he picked up the win striking out 11 and only allowing one run in six innings of work. While the Rays have won five of their last seven games facing a team with a winning record with Cobb on the hill they have lost four of his last five starts overall.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
The Rays are 23-9 in their last 32 games against the Astros.
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<p>
The Rays are 7-1 in their last 8 home games against the Astros.
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In the last 23 games between these teams the Under record is 16-6-1.
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In the last 16 games between these teams in Tampa Bay the Under record is 14-1-1.
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In the last 26 games between these teams in Tampa Bay the Under record is 18-6-2.
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<p>
This season the Rays are 8-2 at home and the Astros are 4-1 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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<p>
Houston Astros: 11-5 SU / O/U 7-9 / Run Line W/L 8-8<br />
Tampa Bay Rays: 9-8 SU / O/U 9-8 / Run Line W/L 10-7
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<h2>
Houston at Tampa Bay Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
HOU is 4-0 in their last 4 road games
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<li>
HOU is 7-1 in their last 8 overall
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<li>
HOU has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games
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TB is 6-0 in their last 6 home games
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<li>
TB is 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a right-handed starter
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<li>
TB has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win
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<h2>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<p>
<b>ASTROS</b><br />
[P] 03/31/2017 - David Paulino 10-day DL (3/30) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 03/31/2017 - Collin McHugh 10-day DL (3/30) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 04/20/2017 - Jandel Gustave 10-day DL (4/19) ( Forearm )
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<b>RAYS</b><br />
[P] 04/16/2017 - Jake Odorizzi 10-day DL (4/16) ( Hamstring )<br />
[CF] 04/14/2017 - Mallex Smith 10-day DL (4/14) ( Hamstring )<br />
[3B] 04/01/2017 - Matt Duffy 10-day DL (4/1) ( Heel )<br />
[P] 04/01/2017 - Nathan Eovaldi 60-day DL (3/8) ( Elbow )<br />
[C] 04/01/2017 - Wilson Ramos 60-day DL (4/1) ( Knee )<br />
[LF] 04/01/2017 - Colby Rasmus 10-day DL (4/1) ( Hip )<br />
[P] 04/03/2017 - Brad Boxberge 60-day DL (4/1) ( Arm )
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