Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays meet in game 2 of series
Tampa Bay Rays (55-54, fourth in the AL East) vs. Houston Astros (57-52, first in the AL West)
Houston; Saturday, 7:15 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Zack Littell (4-7, 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 105 strikeouts); Astros: Ronel Blanco (9-5, 2.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 114 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -159, Rays +134; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Houston is 32-24 at home and 57-52 overall. The Astros have a 21-9 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.
Tampa Bay has gone 25-25 on the road and 55-54 overall. The Rays are 22-9 in games when they did not allow a home run.
The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Alex Bregman has 21 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 51 RBI for the Astros. Yainer Diaz is 17-for-39 with four doubles, a triple and two home runs over the past 10 games.
Yandy Diaz has 22 doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 49 RBI for the Rays. Brandon Lowe is 11-for-34 with five doubles, two home runs and seven RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 5-5, .262 batting average, 4.09 ERA, outscored by five runs
Rays: 5-5, .211 batting average, 2.86 ERA, outscored opponents by nine runs
INJURIES: Astros: Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rays: Richard Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (knee), Richard Lovelady: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jacob Waguespack: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Rasmussen: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (forearm)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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