Rays vs. Astros: Littell Takes Mound as Tampa Manages Tough Roster Call

Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays May 31st 2025

The Rays head to Daikin Park to take on the Astros in an afternoon game on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The first pitch is set for 4:10 PM. Fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams look to secure a win.

Zack Littell will start on the mound for the Rays. He comes in with an ERA of 3.98 and a WHIP of 1.08. The Astros will counter with Colton Gordon, who has an ERA of 5.52 and a WHIP of 1.43. Both pitchers will aim to give their teams a strong start in this contest.

Rays vs Astros Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Rays vs. Astros
Venue: Daikin Park
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Betting Odds: Rays Spread -1.5 (+163), Astros Spread +1.5 (-210), Rays MoneyLine +102, Astros MoneyLine -121, Over/Under 8.5 (-106/-115)

The Rays Can Win If…

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a narrow 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros. Despite the loss, Ryan Pepiot had a strong performance on the mound. He pitched 6 2/3 innings without allowing a run, showcasing the team’s solid pitching depth.

The Rays lead the league in stolen bases with 81, which could be a key factor in their next game. Their pitching staff has a 3.54 ERA, ranking 9th, and they have achieved 29 quality starts, which is the second-best in the league. These stats show their ability to control games both offensively and defensively.

Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero are key players for the Rays. Aranda has a .322 batting average and 31 RBIs, while Caminero leads the team with 11 home runs. Their performances can provide the offensive spark needed to win the next game against the Astros.

The Astros Can Win If…

The Houston Astros are coming off a strong 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Framber Valdez led the way with an impressive performance, pitching all nine innings and striking out nine batters. Yainer Diaz contributed with a home run, showing his ability to impact the game.

Houston’s pitching has been a strength this season. They hold a 3.50 ERA, ranking 8th in the league, and their opponents are batting just .219 against them. The Astros’ ability to limit runs gives them a solid chance to win games.

Key hitters like Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes are crucial to the Astros’ success. Peña has a .300 batting average and Paredes leads the team with 11 home runs. Their consistent performances provide the offensive support needed to secure victories.

The Lean

The Astros are favored with a moneyline of -121, while the Rays are at +102. The Astros have a stronger batting average and on-base percentage compared to the Rays. With their solid pitching stats, including a .219 batting average against, the Astros are the pick to win. The model projects the Astros to win 5-3.

The over/under line is set at 8.5, with the under at -115. Both teams have strong pitching, with the Rays having a 3.54 ERA and the Astros at 3.50. The model projects a total score of 8, suggesting the under is a good pick for this game.

Rays Face Astros After Making Key Roster Decision

The Tampa Bay Rays are leaning into their outfield depth as they navigate a competitive series against the Houston Astros. On Friday, the club made the difficult decision to option exciting rookie Chandler Simpson to Triple-A Durham, clearing the way for the return of outfielder Jake Mangum from the injured list.

Simpson’s first MLB stint included a .285 average and a remarkable 19 stolen bases in 22 attempts over 35 games. He added three steals in Thursday’s series opener and continued to showcase game-changing speed. However, Rays manager Kevin Cash emphasized that the move was less about performance and more about giving Simpson a chance to sharpen his skills with regular playing time in the minors.

Mangum, who returns from a groin injury, brings a .324 batting average through 22 games and will step back into the mix as Tampa looks to regain consistency at the plate.

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Littell Anchors Rays’ Staff in Game 3 Start

Right-hander Zack Littell will get the start for Tampa Bay on Saturday as the Rays and Astros meet for the third contest of their four-game set. Littell has quietly emerged as one of the team’s most consistent arms, compiling a 4-0 record and a 2.95 ERA over his last six starts—all Rays victories.

He was sharp again on Monday, allowing just one run over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. Littell also has a strong track record against Houston, going 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in four career starts against the club. In his most recent outing against the Astros on May 20, he allowed two runs and struck out six across five innings.

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Rookie Colton Gordon Looks to Stay Steady for Astros

On the other side, the Astros will send rookie left-hander Colton Gordon to the mound. Gordon is 0-0 with a 5.52 ERA across his first three big league starts, but Houston is unbeaten in those games (3-0). He most recently pitched five innings against Seattle, giving up three runs on seven hits in a no-decision.

Against the Rays on May 19, Gordon delivered a solid outing with 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs while striking out seven. The Astros managed a 4-3 victory in that contest.

Houston will hope Gordon can extend his early-career poise against a Rays lineup adjusting to roster changes. Those interested in tracking top betting performers can check out the best handicappers leaderboard.

Yordan Alvarez Nears Return from Injury

A key storyline for Houston continues to be the pending return of slugger Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez took live batting practice before Friday’s game, an encouraging sign after missing over three weeks with right hand inflammation.

Although Alvarez had a slow start to the season—batting .210 with three homers in 29 games—his power and presence remain vital to the Astros’ offensive makeup. Manager Joe Espada emphasized patience, noting the session went well but that the team is taking things “one step at a time.”

Stay up to date on the latest lineup changes and pregame angles with the MLB game previews.

What to Expect in Saturday’s Matchup

With the series tied 1-1, Saturday’s game carries added significance. Littell’s hot streak gives the Rays a clear edge on the mound, but Gordon’s early success and Houston’s solid bullpen keep the Astros very much in contention.

Both teams are shuffling lineups and weighing long-term needs as they jockey for positioning in the American League. Whether it’s Tampa’s roster decisions or Houston’s injury updates, sharp bettors will be keeping a close eye on how these narratives develop.

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Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Predictions May 31st 2025