Astros vs Rays Picks and Prediction – 5/21/2025

Steinbrenner Field will play host to a Wednesday afternoon MLB clash between the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Astros (25-23) are three games below .500 on the road and are 2.5 games out of first place in the AL West Division. Last night, Houston batters went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base during a 3-2 road loss against Tampa Bay. 

Twenty-six year old righty Hunter Brown (6-2 1.43 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros in this matchup. In his last start, Brown (8 IP) gave up one run and struck out nine batters during a 1-0 road loss against Texas. 

The Tampa Bay Rays have dropped 18 of their first 29 home games and are seven games off the pace in the AL East Division race. On Tuesday, Tampa Bay walked it off in the ninth inning on a Taylor Walls sacrifice fly that scored Christopher Morel. SP Zack Littell struck out seven batters across five solid frames and did not factor in the decision for the Rays (22-26).

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash will turn to talented right-hander Taj Bradley (3-3 4.80 ERA) on Wednesday. Last time out, Bradley (4 IP) was tagged for six hits and five runs during a 9-4 road loss against Miami. 

Houston OF Yordan Alvarez is reportedly still bothered by a muscle strain in his right hand and his timetable to return is unclear. Through 48 games, Houston ranks 20th in OPS and 20th in runs scored. For the season, Tampa Bay ranks 24th in OPS and 22nd in runs scored. Take the Rays to win at home. Final Score Prediction, Tampa Bay Rays win 4-3.