Rays vs Astros Prediction - MLB Picks 7/29/23

Rays Player Props

• Yandy Diaz has plated a run in three straight contests, and he leads Tampa in batting (.315) and hits (104), with 50 RBI.

• Wander Franco collected multiple hits in the game one victory, and he’s right behind Diaz with 103 hits and 47 RBI.

• Brandon Lowe powered last night’s win with a homer and three RBI, and he’s up to twelve home runs and 37 RBI for the season. 

• Randy Arozarena has gone cold this month, but he’s still first on the team in RBI (62), with seventeen homers. 

• Isaac Paredes is second on the team in home runs (18) and RBI (59), despite going through a minor cold stretch himself.   

Astros Preview & Projected Starter

Houston enters at 58-46 after falling to Tampa. The Astros let the Rays sneak away with one last night, and they’ll look to avoid a third straight loss here on Saturday. Dusty Baker’s ballclub sits in second place of the AL West, and they currently hold a wildcard position. Houston offense is scoring 4.76 runs per game, while batting .248, with a .317 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.81 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP. 

Hunter Brown (6-7, 4.19 ERA, 122 Ks) will get the call for Houston. The second-year pitcher snapped a three-game skid with a solid outing in Oakland last week, holding the A’s to two runs through six innings of work. Brown’s been through a rough month of July, and there’s a chance business picks up for him here with Tampa attempting to close a rough month of their own on a positive note. 

Astros Player Props

• Kyle Tucker has recorded a hit in twelve of the previous thirteen Games, he leads the Astros in hits (112), with splits of .304/18/69. 

• Alex Bregman produced three runs in the series finale against Texas, and he’s posting a line of .253/16/63. 

• Chas McCormick has collected a hit in seven of his last ten games, and he’s batting .279, with thirteen home runs and 42 RBI.

• Jose Abreu provided a two-run shot in the game one loss to Tampa, and he’s tallied nine homers and 53 RBI for the season.

Corey’s Free Pick

Two potential future aces who’ve endured their struggles will face off Saturday, and these two lineups could be due for more production after a slow Game one. Taj Bradley's struggles may leave him vulnerable on the road here, and after losing at home in the ninth last night, the Stros will likely come out swinging against him. Hunter Brown’s been on a mudslide himself, and a struggling but talented Tampa lineup could find ways to produce off of him. I like Houston bouncing back with a win here, but let’s back the Over, as it brings a bit more security here.