Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 10/2/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays conclude a three-game series on the road Sunday versus the Houston Astros. Tampa Bay improved to 86-71 following its 7-3 victory over Houston in the opening game of the series on Friday. Tampa Bay is third in the American League East, but the Rays clinched one of these three AL wildcard spots with a victory on Friday.

Third baseman Yandy Diaz is batting .296 to lead Tampa Bay and has a team high .402 on base percentage. Left fielder Randy Arozarena is the leader in home runs with 20, RBIs with 89 and hits with 153. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays will send Corey Kluber to the mound. The right-hander is 10-9 with a 4.36 ERA, 135 Ks and 20 BBs.

Houston dropped to 102-55 following its four-run loss to Tampa Bay in the opening game of the series on Friday. Houston has lost two straight but the Astros have won eight of the last 12. Houston has clinched the American League West and the Astros also clinched home-field advantage  throughout the American League playoffs.

Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is batting .305 with 37 home runs and an on-base percentage of .408 to lead Houston in each category. Right fielder Kyle Tucker is the leader in RBIs with 104 and second baseman Jose Altuve is the leader in hits with 152. On Sunday, the Houston Astros will send Luis Garcia to the mound. The right-hander is 14-8 with a 3.81 ERA, 153 Ks and 46 BBs.