Astros at Rays 10/8/19 - MLB Playoffs Picks & Predictions

Tropicana Field will play host to a Tuesday night clash between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros won the first two games of this best-of-five series at home, but stumbled during a 10-3 road loss on Monday. Houston SP Zack Greinke was roughed up for six runs in three plus innings and took the loss.

2011 MVP Justin Verlander (21-6 2.58 ERA) will come back on short rest to pitch for the Astros on Tuesday. In the series opener, Verlander struck out eight batters and allowed just one hut during a 6-2 home victory.

The Tampa Bay Rays won 48 of their 81 home games during the regular season and can force a winner-take-all matchup in Houston with a win in Game Four. On Monday, Tampa Bay flexed their muscle by crushing four home runs. Kevin Kiermaier’s three-run blast in the second inning put the Rays ahead for good.

Twenty-five year old righty Diego Castillo (5-8 3.41 ERA) will serve as the opener for Tampa Bay in Game Four. Through 68 plus innings this season, Castillo struck out 81 batters and posted a 1.24 WHIP.