Monday evening from Tampa Bay dives into an early “American League Playoff Preview” as the Houston Astros take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Now, the defending World Series Champions stumbled out of the block early with a 12-10 mark so far. Meanwhile, the Rays keep rolling along in this MLB 2023 season at 19-3. For VegasBetting, we bring you the Astros vs Rays Betting Picks for this clash. Who takes this exciting series opener?
Let’s plunge into this one to see if there are any extra treasures to be had.
Okay, let us get to setting up this Monday’s American League matchup. That’s because, after a bit of a stumble, Tampa Bay is rolling again and now comes in 19-3 on the young season. Keep in mind the Astros are no slouches and are starting to get in gear. Houston won four straight games and is up to 6-3 on the road in April. Maybe that World Series “Hangover” is finished.
This game should be quite a bit of fun. As we said, Tampa Bay comes off a sweep of the Chicago White Sox as the Rays keep finding ways to win. Yes, the Rays are undefeated at home with a 13-0 mark. Eventually, the games will get tougher and right on cue, Houston comes to town. Once more, MLB Online Vegas Betting Odds tip slightly toward the Tampa Bay Rays at home.
Tampa Bay put together a five-game winning streak currently and averages a whopping 6.77 runs per game while yielding under three runs a contest. It becomes downright ridiculous how great of a start this is for the Rays. Furthermore, their rookie Taj Bradley is on the mound. That is where the questions begin.
Some pundits still are surprised that the Bovada online Sportsbook review came out with the Rays a -130 to -135 favorite on Monday. Therefore, the Astros vs Giants Betting Picks examines this Monday night game between two teams with World Series aspirations.
So, the Astros vs Rays Betting Picks favor the underdog on Monday. The Astros started a bit cold this season and that was expected given the inevitable turnover and winning the World Series last year. Houston, whether you love or hate them, have been immensely successful over the past six seasons. They have been to four World Series while winning two championships. Hey, a lot of teams would be jealous of that success.
Now, this game sees the intrigue meter climb a little more. For one, there is a little wildness from the Houston pitching ledger. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay brings in one of their top rookie prospects. We mentioned Taj Bradley earlier, and he is 2-0 in the young season. Pitch counts keep him around 5-6 innings a start for now, but the 22-year-old has several pitches, including a dynamic, fastball, and off-speed stuff.
So, again this rookie is only 22. Yes, runs could be easier on Monday as the Astros come to town. The real test may lie in Tampa Bay’s bullpen, which is not quite as effective as Houston’s. Then again, this is based on the overall body of work. Combining the small sample of April and last season paints a slightly different picture. Bradley looks like a fantasy ace, but he has not faced the likes of Houston yet.
The books lean in with Tampa Bay as the favorite at home, and the worse numbers from BetOnline give Houston a little more plus money at +124. Before this series started, some books might have had Houston closer to Even. It is common to expect the Rays to be favored to win on the moneyline this Monday. However, Houston’s experience pivots us in their direction.
What about hawking the over in the Astros vs Rays Betting Picks? Some worry because both teams are typically stouter defensively and from a pitching standpoint. However, neither starter will go much more than five innings. Urquidy is too wild, and Bradley is young, whereas Kevin Cash does not want to tax his best prospect. Giving a player a taste of the best in the American League means not exposing him to a third time around the lineup, if possible.
Houston has shown signs of life with its offense over the past ten games (going 7-3). That includes averaging nearly six runs a game, bringing their overall average up to 5.2 runs a contest. Now, the Astros are yielding almost four runs per outing. That opens the door a bit for Tampa Bay. Consequently, taking advantage of Houston at not their best allows for an easier play on the over.
Both Houston and Tampa Bay could score ten or more runs on Monday. So, do not bother with betting the NRFI (no-run first inning) here. Also, at VegasBetting, we like betting the alternate over at 9.5, depending on where it opens too. For now, the overriding at eight will do. Sadly, the -125 is not the most optimal bet, but it is not disastrous either.
MLB Vegas Betting Sites and props like that Taj Bradley K prop. The Tampa Bay pitcher has 17 strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched. Run with the over.
