Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros Picks and Prediction for Sunday, July 5, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Houston Astros on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Tampa Bay is 52-33 and leads the AL East, while Houston is 43-47 and sits third in the AL West. The Rays have won nine straight games after opening this series with a 3-1 victory on Friday, while the Astros have dropped two consecutive games and are trying to climb back into the division race. Tampa Bay has been one of the American League's hottest teams entering this matchup. Build your bankroll with our free MLB picks.
Tampa Bay Rays Looking to Extend Their Winning Streak
Tampa Bay has been one of baseball's most productive offenses, ranking second in MLB with a .260 batting average while scoring 388 runs. The Rays have collected 738 hits with a .338 on-base percentage and a .398 slugging percentage through 85 games. Junior Caminero leads the club with 25 home runs and 55 RBI while batting .288. Yandy Díaz has been outstanding with a .325 batting average, 101 hits, and a .408 on-base percentage, while Jonathan Aranda is hitting .289 with 13 home runs and a team-leading 58 RBI.
The Rays have been just as strong on the mound, ranking ninth in Major League Baseball with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Tampa Bay pitchers have limited opponents to a .234 batting average while allowing only 100 home runs and issuing just 229 walks. The combination of reliable pitching and consistent offense has fueled the club's current nine-game winning streak.
Injuries: Chandler Simpson (Day-To-Day), Steven Matz (15-Day IL), Jake Fraley (10-Day IL), Gavin Lux (60-Day IL), Jesse Scholtens (15-Day IL).
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Houston Astros Trying to Snap Their Slide
Houston has produced mixed offensive results this season, batting .241 while scoring 401 runs with 728 hits, 117 home runs, a .315 on-base percentage, and a .407 slugging percentage. Yordan Alvarez has carried the offense, batting .319 with 27 home runs, 61 RBI, 101 hits, and a .431 on-base percentage. Christian Walker has added 19 home runs and 56 RBI, Isaac Paredes has contributed 11 home runs and 45 RBI, while Cam Smith has chipped in 11 home runs.
Houston's pitching staff has been less dependable, ranking 26th in MLB with a 4.73 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Astros pitchers have allowed 116 home runs while issuing 380 walks, numbers that have made it difficult to consistently support the offense. Facing one of baseball's deepest lineups adds another difficult challenge in this series finale.
Injuries: Raynel Delgado (Day-To-Day), LaMonte Wade Jr. (10-Day IL), Braden Shewmake (10-Day IL), Jeremy Peña (10-Day IL), Lance McCullers Jr. (15-Day IL).
Pitching Matchup
Tampa Bay Rays – Griffin Jax
Jax is 4-5 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP across 60.0 innings this season. He has allowed 56 hits while striking out 58 batters and walking 20. Jax has generally kept Tampa Bay in games and enters this matchup backed by one of the league's hottest teams.
Houston Astros – Peter Lambert
Lambert is 6-5 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 74.1 innings. He has surrendered 57 hits while recording 68 strikeouts and 31 walks. Lambert has delivered steady production throughout the season and gives Houston a solid opportunity to compete in this matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros Game Pick
- Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay enters this game with advantages in both current form and overall balance. The Rays own one of the league's top offenses, rank inside the top 10 in team ERA, and have won nine consecutive games. Griffin Jax has pitched well enough to keep games under control, while Houston's pitching staff has struggled throughout the season with a 4.73 ERA and a high walk total. With the Rays playing their best baseball of the season and receiving contributions throughout the lineup, Tampa Bay is the play.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros Over/Under Pick
- Under
Both starting pitchers have posted ERAs below 3.55 this season, making this a favorable pitching matchup despite Houston's overall staff struggles. Tampa Bay has consistently received quality work from its pitching staff, allowing opponents to bat only .234, while Friday's opener finished with just four total runs. Peter Lambert has been one of Houston's more dependable starters, and Griffin Jax has also limited damage for much of the season. With two capable starters on the mound and Tampa Bay's pitching continuing to perform at a high level, the under is the best play.
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