Red-Hot Verlander, Astros Host Rays on Tuesday

Astros Team Has Picked up Momentum

Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros is off to one of his best starts ever. He’ll lead the Astros Tuesday night at home against the Tampa Bay Rays, starting at 8:10 PM ET. It will be the second of a three-game series. Verlander attempts to pitch his team to a franchise-record 13th consecutive victory. Houston kept alive its streak when Alex Bregman delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory in the series opener. Oddsmakers have the Astros as -248 moneyline favorites. The total is listed at 7. TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

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Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58 ERA) took the loss in his last start, which was a 4-3 loss to the Yankees in New York. Snell allowed four runs on five hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking four. The 25-year-old southpaw is 0-1 in three career starts against the Astros, posting a 7.50 ERA. He is also 4-3 in nine road starts with a 3.78 ERA. Snell has allowed fewer than three runs in 12 of his 15 starts. Snell is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA in three career starts against the Astros. He has yielding 19 hits – including four homers – in 12 innings. Snell has struggled with Jose Altuve (3-for-7, two homers), Bregman (3-for-6, homer) and Evan Gattis (3-for-5, homer). Evan Gattis earned American League Player of the Week honors after going 10-for-24 with four homers and 15 RBIs in six games.

Verlander On Top of His Game

Meanwhile, Verlander (9-2, 1.61 ERA) picked up a win in a 7-3 victory in Oakland in his latest outing, giving up three runs on five hits over seven innings. Verlander struck out seven and allowed no walks on the day. The 35-year-old former MVP and Cy Young winner is 8-3 in 16 meetings with the Rays throughout his career. He is also 2-1 in seven home starts with a 1.93 ERA. Verlander has won his last five decisions. He is a spectacular 14-2 in 20 regular-season starts since joining the Astros late last season. Verlander allowed three runs in each of his last two outings. Both were victories. He has served up three homers during the stretch. He is limiting batters to a .160 average. Verlander also owns a major league-best 0.76 WHIP while moving within three victories of 200 for his career. Verlander is 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 career starts against the Rays and has shut down Carlos Gomez (2-for-17).

Tampa Bay Rays MLB Trends

Houston Astros MLB Trends

Astros	Home	Astros are 72-32 in their last 104 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.	69.20% (104)	|	0	72|32
Astros	Home	Astros are 61-29 in their last 90 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.	67.80% (90)	|	0	61|29
Houston	Home	Astros are 44-15 in their last 59 games as a favorite of -201 or greater.	74.60% (59)	|	0	44|15
Houston	Home	Astros are 14-44 in their last 58 games as a home underdog of +151 to +200.	24.10% (58)	|	0	14|44
Astros	Home	Astros are 39-14 in their last 53 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.	73.60% (53)	|	0	39|14
Astros	Home	Under is 34-15-2 in Astros last 51 games as a home favorite of -201 or greater.	69.40% (51)	15|34	2	|
Houston	Home	Astros are 38-13 in their last 51 games as a home favorite of -201 or greater.	74.50% (51)	|	0	38|13
Houston	Home	Over is 15-5-1 in Astros last 21 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.	75.00% (21)	15|5	1	|

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