The Houston Astros (25-22) and Tampa Bay Rays (21-26) play the second game of their 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Astros vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 1-0

The Astros won the series opener 4-3 as +126 road underdogs Monday with the Under (9) cashing. They took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a solo home run from C Victor Caratini, but it was CF Jake Meyers’ solo shot in the seventh that broke a 3-3 tie. RP Josh Hader earned his 12th save of the season, closing out the win for the Astros.

The Rays, who were -137 favorites, lost for the third time in their last 4 games. After falling behind early, Tampa rallied to tie it on C Danny Jansen’s 2-run homer in the sixth and OF Jose Caballero’s RBI double in the sixth. However, RP Manuel Rodriguez (0-2) took the loss after allowing Caratini’s homer in the seventh.

Astros at Rays projected starters

LHP Brandon Walter vs. RHP Zack Littell

After recovering from a rotator cuff injury last season, Walter will make his first MLB career start and his first MLB appearance since September 2023. In 9 outings (5 starts) for Triple-A Sugar Land this season, the Delaware native went 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9, and 8.6 K/9 in 35 2/3 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 1-0 Sugar Land home win vs. Reno Thursday2023 with Red Sox (before injury): 0-0, 6.26 ERA (23 IP, 16 ER), 1.70 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 6.3 K/9 in 9 relief appearancesSigned by Houston as free agent last AugustNever faced Rays

Littell (3-5, 4.31 ERA) is making his 10th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 5.3 K/9 in 54 1/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 7 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 8-3 victory at Toronto Blue Jays Thursday2025 home stats: 0-3, 4.50 ERA (22 IP, 11 ER), 1.27 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 4 startsCareer vs. Astros: 2-0, 2.30 ERA (15 2/3 IP, 4 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 5.7 K/9 in 3 starts2024 vs. Astros: 1-0, 1.69 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 2 ER), 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 2 starts

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Astros at Rays odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:33 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Astros -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Rays -104 (bet $104 to win $110)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+146) | Rays +1.5 (-176)Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Astros at Rays picks and predictionsPrediction

Astros 4, Rays 3

BET ASTROS (-112).

The 28-year-old lefty Walter has been impressive in the minors this season. His call-up comes at a convenient time as the Rays (-104) have struggled against left-handed pitchers, posting a .203 team batting average.

The Astros have won 3 of their last 4 games, while, as mentioned, the Rays have dropped 3 of their last 4. Tampa Bay has not found much success at home, going 11-18 at Steinbrenner Field this season. In contrast, the Rays have been better on the road at 10-8, but their struggles at home are evident, with a .686 team OPS in their home ballpark.

With the pitching advantage and Tampa Bay’s home struggles, TAKE HOUSTON (-112).

PASS.

No need to play the Astros run line (-1.5 | +146) since we’re getting decent odds on the moneyline and we won’t need to worry about them winning by at least 2 runs. I don’t have a problem if you want to jump on the Astros run line but I’d play it safe.

BET UNDER 9.5 (-110).

The Under is the smart play with strong trends backing it. The Under is 8-2 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings and it’s 7-3 in both the Astros’ and Rays’ last 10 games apiece. The Under has also hit in 4 of Littell’s last 5 starts. With these consistent patterns, UNDER 9.5 (-110) is a good bet.

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