Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays

Today’s matchup is between the Houston Astros (34-32) and the Tampa Bay Rays (45-22).

The Astros are starting Lance McCullers Jr. (RHP), who is 3-3 on the season pitching a 3.93 ERA, 3.70 FIP, .303 wOBA, K% of 24.7%, BB% of 8.8%, 89.3 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.16 WHIP in 55.0 innings pitched.

The Rays are starting Charlie Morton (RHP), who is 2-2 on the season with a 4.74 ERA, 3.71 FIP, .325 wOBA, K% of 24.7%, BB% of 5.9%, 89.4 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.39 WHIP in 38.0 innings pitched.

The Astros are the 15th best in the Majors in Relieving Pitching, while the Rays are 3rd.

On the hitting side, the Astros have a .307 wOBA and a .311 OBP. The Rays have a .320 wOBA and a .325 OBP. The Astros have 69 HRs this season while the Rays have 80 HRs.

I like the Rays moneyline here, the Astros have a much worse batting team in comparison to the Yankees who the Rays just beat in the previous round of the playoffs. If Charlie Morton gets in trouble early, the Rays can always resort to their bullpen to take back control of this game. This game should be pretty close, but the Rays should take it here.