- Matchup: Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays
- Scheduled Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
- Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
- Broadcast: MLB.TV
- Betting Odds: Houston (+110) Tampa Bay (-130)
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The Tampa Bay Rays (87-58) are set to face the Houston Astros (74-72) at Tropicana Field this Friday. The Astros are lined at +110 on the moneyline, while the Rays are favored at -130. The total for this matchup is established at 8.5 runs, and Ethan Pecko and Drew Rasmussen are the anticipated starting pitchers.
This season, the Houston Astros boast a slugging percentage of .410, accumulating 1,196 strikeouts and 478 walks. They’ve produced 629 runs batted in with a total of 1,183 hits, giving them a batting average of .241. As a team, the Astros have hit 217 doubles and 192 home runs, resulting in 660 runs scored, alongside an on-base percentage (OBP) of .315. Houston averages 4.5 runs per game, ranking 13th in MLB.
The Astros’ pitching staff has an earned run average (ERA) of 4.55, placing them 24th in the league, with a notable 1,282 strikeouts recorded. They’ve conceded 186 home runs and 701 runs this season, maintaining a collective FIP of 4.56. Houston pitchers allowed 1,161 hits (8.1 hits per 9 innings) and have a K/BB ratio of 2.15, highlighted by a WHIP of 1.35.
This season, the Astros’ bullpen has successfully saved 80.7% of their chances, with 138 save opportunities, converting 46 into saves while failing on 11 occasions. They’ve inherited 202 base runners, with 26.7% crossing home plate. Houston’s bullpen has faced opponents with runners on base 135 times, having 151 high leverage appearances, and they have utilized 474 relief pitchers this year, achieving 79 holds, which ranks 17th in MLB.
Defensively, the Astros have converted 70.6% of balls in play into outs across 11,667 innings, sitting 11th in the league. With 3,889 putouts, 1,070 assists, and 66 errors, their fielding percentage is an impressive .987, ranking 11th overall, and they have executed 115 double plays.
Pitcher Ethan Pecko has thrown 17 innings in his career, earning 11 strikeouts and posting an ERA of 5.26 (10 earned runs). His WHIP stands at 1.520 and he’s given up 16 hits (8.4 hits per 9 innings) along with 10 walks. With a career mark of 1-0, Pecko has recorded a FIP of 5.18, facing 77 batters in the majors.
The Tampa Bay Rays have a current slugging percentage of .405, averaging 4.56 runs per game (10th in MLB). They’ve hit 200 doubles, garnered 463 free passes, and scored 661 runs, along with 154 home runs and 629 RBIs. The Rays have struck out 1,011 times (30th in the league) and made 1,274 hits, achieving an OBP of .329 and a team batting average of .261 this season.
As for pitching, the Rays own a WHIP of 1.147 and a FIP of 4.08. They have surrendered a total of 1,120 hits, producing a team ERA of 3.81 (548 earned runs). Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 8.20 with 1,174 strikeouts and 366 walks, resulting in 182 home runs allowed and an average of 4.19 runs per 9 innings (8th in the league).
With 181 save opportunities, the Rays have accrued 107 holds and 18 blown saves. Their relievers have pitched in 73 save chances, successfully converting 55 into saves. This season, Tampa Bay’s relief staff has faced 177 inherited base runners, with a 33.9% scoring percentage. They rank 4th in the league with a 75.3% save conversion rate and have deployed 462 bullpen pitchers to date.
Defensively, the Tampa Bay Rays have turned 91 double plays with a fielding percentage of .983 (24th in MLB). They recorded 1,150 assists, 87 errors, and 3,885 putouts over 11,655 innings, achieving a defensive efficiency of 72.1%, ranking first in professional baseball.
Drew Rasmussen has encountered 2,438 opposing batters through his career, allowing 484 hits and registering 584 strikeouts across 613 innings. He holds a 2.89 ERA with a WHIP of 1.027, giving up 197 earned runs while maintaining a 4.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His nine-inning average stands at 7.1 hits allowed, with a career win-loss record of 44-22.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB matchup, whether against the spread or on the moneyline?
Prediction: Bet on Houston (+110)
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