ASTROS-RAYS PREVIEW

Astros aim to keep streak alive with Framber at the helm against Rays

Astros aim to keep streak alive with Framber at the helm against Rays
The Astros face the Rays Monday night in St. Petersburg. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros (62-55, first in the AL West) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (59-58, fourth in the AL East)

St. Petersburg, Florida; Monday, 6:50 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Framber Valdez (11-5, 3.46 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 113 strikeouts); Rays: Taj Bradley (6-6, 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 106 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -121, Rays +102; over/under is 7 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros aim to keep their five-game win streak going when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Tampa Bay is 31-31 at home and 59-58 overall. The Rays have a 17-7 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.

Houston has a 30-29 record in road games and a 62-55 record overall. The Astros are 27-12 in games when they did not allow a home run.

The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Yandy Diaz has 23 doubles, a triple and 10 home runs while hitting .271 for the Rays. Brandon Lowe is 10-for-42 with three doubles and two home runs over the past 10 games.

Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with 54 extra base hits (27 doubles, two triples and 25 home runs). Alex Bregman is 15-for-43 with four doubles, three home runs and six RBI over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rays: 4-6, .228 batting average, 3.52 ERA, outscored by five runs

Astros: 7-3, .257 batting average, 3.09 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs

INJURIES: Rays: Richard Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (knee), Jacob Waguespack: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (forearm)

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)

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The Astros need a win in the worst way. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros are looking to stop the bleeding.

After dropping their fifth straight game Monday night, and their 10th in the past 11 at Daikin Park, the American League West leaders turn to right-hander Jason Alexander on Tuesday night to face the Washington Nationals in the second game of the series.

Houston still sits atop the division at 60-47, but the recent slide has begun to test the edges of their depth and momentum. They’ll try to steady things against a Nationals team that’s playing better than its record suggests. Washington has won six of its last 10, including Monday’s 2-1 series-opening victory, and arrives with a bit of confidence behind starter Mike Soroka.

Alexander (1-1, 8.14 ERA) will make his third start of the season for Houston and is still looking for consistency after a bumpy start to his campaign. The Nationals counter with Soroka (3-8, 4.85 ERA), who has quietly put together a string of solid outings while showing improved command. Soroka has struck out 83 and posted a 1.13 WHIP over 78 innings.

Offensively, both teams have had their share of struggles of late. The Astros have hit just .241 over their past 10 games and have been outscored by 13 runs during that stretch. On Monday, they managed just one run for the third straight contest, wasting a 12-strikeout night from Framber Valdez.

Veteran second baseman Jose Altuve remains a key contributor with 17 doubles and 17 home runs, while Christian Walker has been one of Houston’s more reliable bats lately, going 12-for-37 over the past 10 games.

For Washington, Luis Garcia has tallied 22 doubles and 45 RBIs on the year, and Josh Bell has chipped in with two homers in his last 10 outings.

The Astros are still favored to bounce back — listed as -142 favorites by BetMGM — but with the recent home woes and a struggling rotation, nothing seems guaranteed right now in Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

Lineup takeaways

What is Joe Espada doing to try to snap the losing streak? He'll start with Taylor Trammell leading off and playing left field, which has Jose Altuve as the DH and hitting second. Christian Walker will once again hit third, with Cam Smith (RF) back in the cleanup spot after a day off.

Jacob Melton is returns to center field and will hit fifth, followed by catcher Yainer Diaz and Mauricio Dubon (3B).

Espada, looking to shake things up and provide the offense with a spark, goes with Shay Whitcomb over Brice Matthews at second base, and Zack Short (SS) will hit ninth.

 

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