Astros vs Rays Prediction 5/20/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate an Astros vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, May 20th at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 25-22 this year after they won game one in this series by a score of 4-3 on Monday. Houston jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the game, but they needed a run in the seventh to secure the win. The Astros recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Caratini, Meyers, Smith, and McCormick, who all had one RBI in the win. Houston started Gordon, who allowed five hits and three earned runs over 5.1 innings, while King picked up the win in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Astros split four games with the Rangers and won two out of three against the Royals. Houston has won five of their last seven games, and they are currently second in the AL West standings. The Houston pitching staff has a 3.38 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and a .212 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 189 runs with a .246 batting average and a .318 on-base percentage this season. Isaac Paredes has led Houston with seven home runs and 24 RBIs, while Jeremy Pena has added six home runs and 23 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Brandon Walter, who is making his first appearance for Houston this year. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 21-26 this season after they lost game one by a score of 4-3 last night. Tampa Bay was able to score three runs in the 5th/6th innings to tie the game, but couldn’t find any more offense after that for the loss. The Rays recorded seven hits in the game, and they were led by Jansen, who went 1-2 with one home run and two RBIs in the loss. Tampa Bay started Pepiot, who allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Rodriguez allowed three hits and one earned run in relief for the loss. 

Prior to this series, the Rays lost two out of three against the Marlins, but did win two out of three against the Blue Jays before that. Tampa Bay has lost three of its last four games, and they are currently fourth in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.92 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .242 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 182 runs with a .241 batting average and a .305 on-base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with eight home runs and 20 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added seven home runs and 24 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Zack Littell, who is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 54.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Rays will beat the Astros 

• The Astros have lost seven of their last eight road games against American League opponents following a win.
• The Rays have won three of their last four games against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Rays have covered the run line in five of their last six games following a loss.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five road games following a road win.

Why the Astros will beat the Rays 

• The Rays have lost each of their last six games at George M. Steinbrenner Field against teams that held a winning record.
• The Astros have won each of their last six road games against the Rays.
• The Astros have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games against AL East opponents.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last three night games against AL East opponents.
• The Astros have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games against AL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Fourteen of the Rays’ last 16 night games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Astros’ last four night games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Astros’ last nine games against American League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the last six games between the Astros and Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Danny Jansen has recorded at least one RBI in three of the Rays’ last four games against AL opponents.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one Single in each of the Rays’ last five games against AL opponents.
• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last five home games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against AL West opponents.
• Yandy Diaz has scored a run in four of the Rays’ last five home games against opponents that held a winning record.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Brendan Rodgers has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances against AL East opponents.
• Isaac Paredes has recorded at least one Single in each of his last seven appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Jeremy Pena has hit a home run in four of his last six road appearances against AL East opponents.
• Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros’ last nine road games against the Rays.
• Jeremy Pena has scored at least one run in five of his last six road appearances against AL East opponents.

Astros vs Rays Prediction 

Houston picked up the win in game one of this series on Monday night, and they have won three of their last four games, but they are just 10-13 on the road this year. The Rays have lost three of their last four games, and they are 11-18 at home. Tampa Bay has been very inconsistent this year, but they are starting Littell, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. The Astros are going with Walter, who has a 2.27 ERA over 35.2 innings in Triple-A this year. I like the direction that Littell is trending, and Walter should be ok against this Tampa Bay lineup, so take the under here. 

David Racey's Pick: Under 9.5