<p>
The Houston Astros own a 2-0 lead on the Tampa Bay Rays in this American League divisional-round playoff series and shoot for the sweep when the teams meet for Game 3 Monday afternoon in Florida. How are we playing this game with our free MLB pick?
</p>
<h2>
MLB Betting Odds<br />
</h2>
<p>
MLB betting odds opened Houston at around -155 for Game 3 over Tampa Bay, with an over/under of 7.5 runs. Early betting action then dipped that line to -150.
</p>
<p>
The Astros could also be found getting around +115, giving the run and a half on the MLB run line.
</p>
<p><aside></p>
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<p></aside></p>
<h2>
Astros vs. Rays Game 3 Set-Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
Houston took the opener of this ALDS last Friday 6-2, then won Game 2 Saturday 3-1. The Astros won Game 1 as -235 favorites with one Cy Young contender, Justin Verlander, then won Game 2 at -270 with another Cy Young candidate, Gerrit Cole.
</p>
<p>
Houston also covered against the run line both those games.
</p>
<p>
Also, while Game 1 sneaked over a total of 7.5 when the Rays scored two late, meaningless runs, Game 2 played under that same total of 7.5.
</p>
<p>
Tampa Bay got the winning run on base with one out in the top of the ninth inning in Game 2 but came up empty.
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<p>
Going back into the regular season, the Astros are 14-2 over their last 16 games, while the Rays are 1-4 over their last five games.
</p>
<p>
Houston finished 11 games ahead of Tampa in the American League standings, but the Rays took the regular-season series from the Astros four games to three.
</p>
<h2>
Game 3 Starting Arms<br />
</h2>
<p>
Former Astro Morton, by our strict standards, is 16/34 on quality starts this season, and two for his last three. Last Wednesday, in the American League wild-card game, Morton held Oakland to one run – zero earned – and five hits through five innings of that 5-1 Tampa win. And over his last three starts, he's allowed just three runs – two earned – and 11 hits through 17 1/3 innings.
</p>
<p>
On the season, the Rays are 23-11 with Morton, 6-0 over his last six starts.
</p>
<p>
In two starts this season against Houston, Morton gave up eight runs and ten hits through nine innings. Tampa Bay split those two games.
</p>
<p>
Greinke is 22/33 on quality starts this year, and three for his last four. Most recently, 12 days ago, Greinke held Seattle scoreless on two hits through 8 1/3 innings of a 3-0 Astros victory. And over his last four starts, he's allowed five runs and 17 hits through 25 1/3 innings.
</p>
<p>
Houston is 8-2 with Greinke this year, 4-0 over his last four starts.
</p>
<p>
In his only start against the Rays this season, back in August, Greinke got nicked for five runs and six hits, including two home runs, through 5 2/3 innings of a 9-8 Astros loss.
</p>
<h2>
Game 3 Batting Splits<br />
</h2>
<p>
Houston batted .274/.349/.492 against right-handed pitching this season. Numbers like those are why we rank this lineup as the best in Baseball in this split.
</p>
<p>
Tampa batted .253/.325/.436 against RH pitching this season.
</p>
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<h2>
The Bullpens<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Astros bullpen put up a 3.75 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP this year while holding foes to a .694 OPS.
</p>
<p>
The Rays bullpen posted a Major League-low 3.66 ERA this season and a 1.20 WHIP, while also holding opponents to a .694 OPS.
</p>
<p>
Both these bullpens rank among the top three or four in Baseball.
</p>
<h2>
MLB Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Houston played 47-34 on the road this season.
</li>
<li>
Houston played 68-44 against right-handed starters this season.
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<li>
Tampa played 48-33 at home this season.
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<li>
Tampa Bay played 62-41 against RH starters this season.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Totals Report<br />
</h3>
<ul>
<li>
Overs played 77-75 in Rays games this season.
</li>
<li>
Unders played 84-71 in Astros games this season.
</li>
<li>
Overs played 39-34 in games played at Tropicana Field this season.
</li>
<li>
Unders are 5-4 in Astros-Rays games this season.
</li>
<li>
Unders are a combined 23-20 with Morton and Greinke this season.
</li>
</ul>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/matchup/1196739">Astros at Rays MLB Match-up Stats</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
<p></section></p>