MLB Handicapping: Rays vs Astros

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: The Tampa Bay Rays will be trying to extend a winning streak on Friday when they take on the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Matt Garza will be the starting pitcher for the Rays on this day. Righthander Garza is 5-1 this season with a 2.38 ERA. It'll be Brett Myers toeing the rubber for the Astros in this contest. Righthander Myers is 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total is sitting at 7½. The Rays completed a two-game sweep with an 8-6 victory over the Yankees on Thursday, as +120 underdogs. The 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9) set by sportsbooks. Carlos Pena belted two solo home runs to lift the Rays, and James Shields scattered three earned runs over 7 1-3 innings in that win. The Astros were shut down 4-0 by the Rockies last time out, as +107 underdogs. The four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (6) set by sportsbooks. Roy Oswalt gave up two earned runs off three hits in six innings in suffering the loss. Current streak: Tampa Bay has won 6 straight games. Team records: Tampa Bay: 30-11 SU Houston: 14-27 SU Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Friday are 7-3 Before playing Houston are 2-4 After playing NY Yankees are 3-7 After a win are 8-2 Houston most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-2 After playing Colorado are 7-3 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Houston Tampa Bay is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games on the road Tampa Bay is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay Houston is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games at home Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games Next up: Houston home to Tampa Bay, Saturday, May 22 Rest assured for those bettors who only purchase Stevie Vincent when he has Level 5 plays, you are doing yourself a gross disservice. Flat out his Level 2, 3 and 4 plays always have and always will win at a much higher rate than Game of the Month or Game of the Year plays elsewhere. He is part of OffshoreInsiders.com