Tampa Bay Rays (52-34) vs. Houston Astros (44-47) July 5, 2026 3:30 pm EDT The Line: Houston Astros / Tampa Bay Rays ; Over/Under: (Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Astros Prediction for this MLB matchup on Sunday, July 5 th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
The Houston Astros have a 44‑47 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the AL West. They have a 22‑24 home record and are coming off a 10‑8 home win against the Rays. They will face the Nationals and the Rangers next.
The Astros have a .242 batting average this season, .316 OBP and .410 Slugging percentage. Houston’s pitching staff has a 4.78 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Yordan Alvarez is the team’s best hitter with a .324 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 67 and adding a team‑high 29 home runs.
Peter Lambert (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Astros, and he has a 6‑5 record, 3.51 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
The Tampa Bay Rays have a 52‑34 record this season and are sitting in the 1st place of the AL East. They have a 21‑22 road record and are coming off an 8‑10 road defeat against the Astros. They will face the Yankees and the Mariners next.
The Rays have a .260 batting average this season, .338 OBP and .400 Slugging percentage. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has a 3.76 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Yandy Diaz is the team’s best hitter with a .325 batting average. Jonathan Aranda leads the team in RBI with 58, while Junior Caminero adds a team‑high 26 home runs.
Griffin Jax (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays, and he has a 4‑5 record, 3.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
The Rays are 5-3 in their last 8 meetings against the Astros but both teams are tied 3-3 in their last 6 meetings in Houston.
Both pitchers in this matchup have been decent and have probably gone under the radar, but they both have a combined 6.98 ERA. Both offenses exploded yesterday and what should have been a pitchers duel but they both combined for just 4 runs in the first game of the series. The Rays are 6-2 to the under in their last 8 games and the Astros have been 21 st against righties in the last 10 days. Take the under in this one.