Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are playing a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The opener is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Rays' starting pitcher is 3-5 with a 5.49 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 8.9 K/9, and 2.2 BB/ 9 in 114 2/3 IP. Jose Urquidy is the scheduled starter for the Astros.

Owns a 4.34 ERA since returning from the IL in early September. Has posted a 3.23 ERA, 0.92 WHIP in 78 career IP at Minute Maid. Threw seven shutout innings against the Rays on May 1.

Rays at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction.

Tampa Bay is on a four-game win streak. Houston is struggling. The Astros are on their four game losing streak and have a .160/.264/.272 batting line. Tampa Bay has a 26-12 record since August 16.

Wacha has been undone by a .329 batting average on balls in play and an 18.7% home run/fly ball rate. Peg a talented Rays team to keep this one close in a low-scoring affair.

Both offenses are too far out over their skis. Tampa Bay is the favorite. Back the under 9.5 (-125).