Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 9/13/2026 Today’s MLB Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Sep 8, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) is hit by a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Houston Astros
Tampa Bay Rays
Team Records
75-74
89-59
Spread
+1.5 -182
-1.5 149
Moneyline
+117
-142
Total
Over 8 (-101)
Under 8 (-119)
Where
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
When
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time
01:40 PM EDT
TV
MLB.TV
The Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Sunday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Houston Astros will send out Hayden Wesneski for the start here and Wesneski is 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA and 36 strikeouts this season. Freddy Peralta will start for Tampa Bay and is 8-11 with a 4.82 ERA and 142 strikeouts this season.
Houston Astros Recap
The Houston Astros come into this game looking to rebound from their 3-2 loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay rays last time out to sit at 75-74 this season. After this series, the Astros will head home for a series against the Kansas City Royals.
Astros Drop 5 Of Last 7
Yordan Alvarez has 162 hits with 30 doubles, 38 home runs and 96 RBIs while Christian Walker has 119 hits with 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 80 RBIs on the year. Jose Altuve’s chipped in 116 hits with 23 doubles, 15 home runs and 44 RBIs and Isaac Paredes has 134 hits with 26 doubles, 20 home runs and 83 RBIs. Cam Smith also has 102 hits with 16 doubles, 20 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Tampa Bay Rays Recap
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game looking to add on to their win over Houston from Saturday to sit at 89-59 on the year. After this series, the Rays will take on teh Athletics in a series at home.
Rays Win 6 Of Last 8
Yandy Diaz has 171 hits with 25 doubles, a triple, 22 home runs and 80 RBIs while Chandler Simpson has 161 hits with 6 triples and 31 RBIs. Nick Fortes has 72 hits with 15 doubles, 4 home runs and 31 RBIs and Jonathan Aranda has 150 hits with 24 doubles, 19 homers and 86 RBIs. Junior Caminero’s also added 158 hits with 21 doubles, 40 home runs and 95 RBIs.
Houston Astros @ Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends: September 13, 2026
Probable Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta Record this season: 8-11 ERA: 4.82
Home Record: 4-5
Last 5 against Astros: 0-2
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
The Rays have won nine of their last 10 home games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
The Astros have lost five of their last six games after playing the previous day.
The Astros have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against the Rays following a loss.
The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against the Astros following a win.
The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five road day games.
The Rays have led after 3 innings in three of their last four day games against AL West opponents.
Probable Starting Pitcher: Hayden Wesneski Record this season: 5-1 ERA: 3.35
Road Record: 3-0
Last 5 against Rays: 0-0
Why the Houston Astros will win
The Astros have won seven of their last eight games as road underdogs against AL opponents following a loss.
The Rays have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against AL opponents following a win.
The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 games following a home win.
The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 12 games as road underdogs against AL opponents following a road loss.
The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five home day games.
The Astros have won the first inning in three of their last four games at Tropicana Field against opponents that held a winning record.
The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against AL opponents.
Total Runs Facts
Each of the last seven games between the Astros and Rays at Tropicana Field have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Each of the Astros’ last seven games as underdogs against the Rays have gone UNDER the total runs line.
There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Rays’ last six day games against AL opponents.
There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Astros’ last eight day games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
Victor Mesa Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last four games.
Freddy Peralta has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances.
Freddy Peralta has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last 12 appearances against AL West opponents.
Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 11 home games against AL West opponents.
Chandler Simpson ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (41) this season.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
Isaac Paredes has hit at least one home run in three of the Astros’ last four road games against the Rays.
Hayden Wesneski has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
Hayden Wesneski has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances against AL opponents.
Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games.
Matchup/League Facts
The Rays rank 1st in the league for batting average this season (.260).
The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (1026).
The Astros rank 30th in the league for steals this season (45).
The Astros rank 29th in the league for walks allowed this season (602).
Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
I’m on the Astros here. Freddy Peralta’s had a couple of good starts in a row, but his whole body of work since being acquired by the Rays hasn’t been the strongest and I think that could come into play here as well. Wesneski has quietly been a decent option for the Astros on the mound this season and I think that the Astros salvage something here. I’ll back Houston in this one.
