Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction & Picks - MLB

USA - MLB

Houston Astros
7/5/26 15:30
Tampa Bay Rays

Prediction:

 

Tampa Bay to win

−120
$200 offered for betting!

New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply

 by Bill Christy | in MLB Picks

The series between the Tampa Bay Rays (52-34) and the Houston Astros (44-47) has been a tale of two different types of games, and each produced a different winner.

In game one, it was all about the pitching. Nick Martinez of the Rays pitched 5.1 innings and allowed just 1 run on 3 hits but did not factor into the decision. Spencer Arrighetti of the Astros also pitched well. He finished with 6 innings of work and held the Rays to just 1 run on 2 hits. While both starters did well, it was the relievers who took the decision and the Rays who came out on top with a 3-1 victory.

In game two, the bats came alive. Neither starter made it to the 6th inning and combined to allow 12 total runs. Yordan Alvarez went off in the 10-8 Astros win. He finished the game going 3-4, with 2 home runs, and 6 RBIs. Only 2 hitters from each team went hitless in the 18-run scoring spree. It is unlikely that the runs will reach the same number in this one, but it should get over the total that was scored in game one.

Both Griffin Jax of the Rays and Peter Lambert of the Astros have been starters for their respective teams this season. Both will be starting today in Game 3, which will decide the series.

Conviction of the Day

Our editorial team's top-confidence pick, every day.

Members only · free sign-up

Sign up for free

Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays Form

Table

Teams Pts P W L
3 Tampa Bay Rays
0.605 162 98 64
14 Houston Astros
0.5 162 81 81

Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays Latest Matches

Houston Astros
Houston Astros Latest matches
W L W L L W
Victories

3/6 (50%)

Defeats

3/6 (50%)

Jul 4, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
10 :  8
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 3, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
1 :  3
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 1, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
3 :  8
Minnesota Twins

Jun 30, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
6 :  4
Minnesota Twins

Jun 29, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
4 :  5
Minnesota Twins

Jun 28, 2026 - MLB

Detroit Tigers
5 :  7
Houston Astros
W L W L L W
Victories

3/6 (50%)

Defeats

3/6 (50%)

Jul 4, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
10 :  8
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 3, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
1 :  3
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 1, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
3 :  8
Minnesota Twins

Jun 30, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
6 :  4
Minnesota Twins

Jun 29, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
4 :  5
Minnesota Twins

Jun 21, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
2 :  1
Cleveland Guardians
W W W L W W
Victories

5/6 (83%)

Defeats

1/6 (17%)

Jun 28, 2026 - MLB

Detroit Tigers
5 :  7
Houston Astros

Jun 27, 2026 - MLB

Detroit Tigers
6 :  8
Houston Astros

Jun 26, 2026 - MLB

Detroit Tigers
8 :  0
Houston Astros

Jun 25, 2026 - MLB

Detroit Tigers
1 :  2
Houston Astros

Jun 24, 2026 - MLB

Toronto Blue Jays
1 :  3
Houston Astros

Jun 23, 2026 - MLB

Toronto Blue Jays
7 :  9
Houston Astros
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays Latest matches
W W W W W L
Victories

5/6 (83%)

Defeats

1/6 (17%)

Jul 4, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
10 :  8
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 3, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
1 :  3
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 2, 2026 - MLB

Kansas City Royals
2 :  5
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 1, 2026 - MLB

Kansas City Royals
0 :  4
Tampa Bay Rays

Jun 30, 2026 - MLB

Kansas City Royals
4 :  10
Tampa Bay Rays

Jun 28, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
5 :  1
Arizona Diamondbacks
L W W W W W
Victories

5/6 (83%)

Defeats

1/6 (17%)

Jun 28, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
5 :  1
Arizona Diamondbacks

Jun 27, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
4 :  2
Arizona Diamondbacks

Jun 26, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
6 :  1
Arizona Diamondbacks

Jun 25, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
13 :  2
Kansas City Royals

Jun 24, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
5 :  3
Kansas City Royals

Jun 23, 2026 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
5 :  12
Kansas City Royals
L W W W W L
Victories

4/6 (67%)

Defeats

2/6 (33%)

Jul 4, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
10 :  8
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 3, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
1 :  3
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 2, 2026 - MLB

Kansas City Royals
2 :  5
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 1, 2026 - MLB

Kansas City Royals
0 :  4
Tampa Bay Rays

Jun 30, 2026 - MLB

Kansas City Royals
4 :  10
Tampa Bay Rays

Jun 17, 2026 - MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers
5 :  4
Tampa Bay Rays

Houston Astros against Tampa Bay Rays : Head to Head (H2H)

Houston Astros

50 %

Tampa Bay Rays

50 %

Jul 4, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
10 :  8
Tampa Bay Rays

Jul 3, 2026 - MLB

Houston Astros
1 :  3
Tampa Bay Rays

May 30, 2025 - MLB

Houston Astros
2 :  1
Tampa Bay Rays

May 29, 2025 - MLB

Houston Astros
3 :  13
Tampa Bay Rays

May 21, 2025 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
8 :  4
Houston Astros

May 19, 2025 - MLB

Tampa Bay Rays
3 :  4
Houston Astros
Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks

Houston Astros - Tampa Bay Rays Key Points

  1. Tampa Bay is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games.
  2. Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road.
  3. Houston is 7-13 SU in its last 20 games played on a Sunday.
  4. Houston is 1-2 SU in its last 3 games.

Our Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction

Tampa Bay is in the top 5 of the league in both combined batting average and on-base percentage. They have shown consistency all season at the plate and their bullpen has done the same on the other side. They are 6th in the league in combined ERA and that edge is enough for us to play the Rays here in what should be a coinflip game according to the oddsmakers.

Our prediction for Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays: Tampa Bay to win

Prediction:

 

Tampa Bay to win

−120
$200 offered for betting!

All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.