Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays May 30th 2025
The Rays are set to visit the Astros at Daikin Park on Friday, May 30, 2025. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM in this night game. Fans can expect a competitive game with two strong starting pitchers on the mound.
Ryan Pepiot will take the mound for the Rays, bringing an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.23. Framber Valdez will start for the Astros, with an ERA of 3.39 and a WHIP of 1.15. Both pitchers will aim to keep the opposing offenses in check and lead their teams to a win.
Rays vs Astros Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Rays vs. Astros
- Venue: Daikin Park
- Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
- Betting Odds:
- Rays Spread: +1.5 (-161)
- Astros Spread: -1.5 (+134)
- Rays MoneyLine: +138
- Astros MoneyLine: -164
- Over/Under: 7.5
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a strong performance against the Houston Astros, winning 13-3. Shane Baz pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs with three strikeouts. Junior Caminero was a standout, going 3-for-6 with a home run and six RBIs, showing his ability to drive in runs effectively.
The Rays have solid pitching stats that could lead them to another win. Their team ERA is 3.58, ranking 9th, and they have allowed a batting average against of .235, which is 8th best. With 28 quality starts, they rank 2nd, showing their starters can keep them in games.
On the offensive side, Jonathan Aranda is a key player to watch with a .315 batting average and 30 RBIs. The team leads the league in stolen bases with 76, adding speed to their game. Ryan Pepiot will start, with a 3.55 ERA and a WHIP of 1.23, aiming to keep the Astros’ hitters in check.
The Astros Can Win If…
The Houston Astros are ready to bounce back after a tough 13-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the loss, Yainer Diaz and Jose Altuve showed power by hitting home runs. Cam Smith also contributed with two hits, including a double, showcasing the team’s ability to generate offense.
The Astros have been strong in pitching, with a team ERA of 3.37, ranking 8th overall. Their batting average against is just .218, the 2nd best in the league. With Framber Valdez on the mound, who has a 3.39 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, the Astros have a solid chance to control the game.
Houston’s lineup includes top hitters like Isaac Paredes and Jeremy Peña, who have been consistent all season. Paredes leads the team with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs. Peña is not far behind, batting .297 with 7 home runs, making them key players to watch in the upcoming game.
The Lean
The Astros are favored with a moneyline of -164 against the Rays at +138. The Astros have a strong pitching staff with a 3.37 ERA and a low opponent batting average of .218. Given their solid pitching and better hitting stats, the model projects the Astros to win 5-3. The recommendation is to pick the Astros to win straight up.
The over/under line is set at 7.5. The model projects a total score of 8 runs, suggesting the over is the better choice. Both teams have strong pitching, but their offenses can score enough to push the total over. The recommendation is to take the over 7.5.
Speedy Rays Aim to Run Wild Again vs Astros in Houston
If there’s one team you don’t want to give a running start, it’s the Tampa Bay Rays. They came into Thursday’s series opener in Houston already leading MLB with 76 stolen bases—and they didn’t slow down.
Tampa swiped five more bags in a 13-3 rout of the Astros, with rookie Chandler Simpson accounting for three of them. They didn’t just steal bases—they created chaos. A throwing error by Astros catcher Yainer Diaz trying to catch Simpson even led to a run in the fourth inning.
Manager Kevin Cash couldn’t be happier. “I like the way we’ve used our speed—smart decisions, good execution,” he said. “Last year we hit a stretch where we got sloppy, but this group has learned from that.”
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On the Mound: Pepiot vs Valdez
Friday’s Game 2 features two in-form starters: Tampa’s Ryan Pepiot (3-5, 3.55 ERA) vs Houston’s Framber Valdez (4-4, 3.39 ERA).
Pepiot has been solid lately. He blanked Toronto over seven innings in his last outing and has now logged quality starts in four of his past five games. The last time he saw Houston, he gave up three runs in six innings—good enough to keep his team in it.
Meanwhile, Valdez has quietly found his groove. He’s posted a 2.25 ERA over his last four starts and looked sharp against Seattle last weekend. The lefty struck out nine Rays the last time he faced them, so Tampa hitters know they’ll have their hands full.

Astros Finding Offensive Rhythm—Even Without Alvarez
Houston’s lineup struggled early this season, but a shift to batting Jeremy Pena, Isaac Paredes, and Jose Altuve in the top three has worked wonders. The new mix has helped spark rallies and balance the order.
Yordan Alvarez, sidelined for 25 games with hand inflammation, is nearing a return. He’s set to face live pitching Friday. Even when he’s ready, the Astros may not change that top-three trio. “I like how that 1-2-3 punch is working,” said manager Joe Espada.
FAQs
How many bases have the Rays stolen this season?
Tampa leads MLB with over 80 stolen bases, using team speed as a major weapon.
Who is Chandler Simpson?
He’s a speedy rookie left fielder for Tampa who stole three bases and scored a run off a throwing error in Thursday’s win.
Who’s starting Friday’s game?
Ryan Pepiot goes for Tampa, Framber Valdez for Houston. Both pitchers are on a hot streak with recent quality starts.
Is Yordan Alvarez returning?
He’s close. He’ll face live pitching Friday and could return soon from a 25-game absence due to hand inflammation.
What’s the Astros’ new top of the order?
Houston has been using Jeremy Pena, Isaac Paredes, and Jose Altuve in the 1-2-3 spots, which has helped boost offensive production.
How have the Rays used their speed differently this year?
According to Kevin Cash, the Rays are being more selective and smarter with their base-stealing chances compared to last season.