Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions May 21st 2025

Hunter Brown Eyes Redemption as Astros Seek Series Win Against Struggling Rays

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown is turning heads this season, and he’ll aim to convert dominance into a win as he takes the mound on Wednesday in the decisive game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Coming off a career-high eight-inning masterpiece, Brown (6-2, 1.43 ERA) delivered an electric performance against the Texas Rangers, allowing only one earned run on three hits and recording nine strikeouts. Despite his excellence, the Astros fell 1-0—marking a rare instance where elite pitching wasn’t rewarded.

“I felt in control, hitting my spots and landing all my pitches,” said Brown. “But it just wasn’t enough to seal the win.”

Brown’s Record vs. Tampa Bay: A Dominant Resume

• 1.06 ERA in four appearances against the Rays
• 2-0 career record vs. Tampa Bay
• Only one home run allowed in his last 50 2/3 innings

Brown’s consistency and control make him a serious threat to a Rays squad that has struggled mightily at home, with a 12-18 record at George M. Steinbrenner Field, losing 13 of their last 16 before Tuesday’s comeback.

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Astros’ Series Recap: Narrow Margins, Big Potential

• Game 1: Houston edged out Tampa Bay 4-3
• Game 2: Astros lost 3-2, despite leading by two runs late

Late-game pitching lapses cost Houston in Game 2, but the team has still won five of their last seven games, showing signs of heating up as the season progresses.

Taj Bradley Looks to Bounce Back for Tampa Bay

The Rays will counter with Taj Bradley (3-3, 4.80 ERA), who is looking to regain form after a rough outing against the Miami Marlins, where he gave up five runs in four innings.

Bradley is just 1-3 in his last six starts, and his history against Houston is bleak:

• 9.95 ERA in 3 career starts vs. Astros
• Five home runs allowed in just 12 2/3 innings

“I wasn’t aggressive enough in the zone,” admitted Bradley after his last start.

Offensive Highlights: Astros Finding Their Groove

Isaac Paredes, the Astros’ home run leader, notched his eighth of the season and fourth in his last eight games in Tuesday’s matchup—ironically against his former team.

Jake Meyers continues to produce, with:

• Two hits in each game this series
• Seven hits and four runs over his last five contests
• An RBI double that sparked Tuesday’s scoring

Jose Altuve, looking to shake off a slump, showed signs of life with two hits on Tuesday after managing just one in his previous 22 at-bats. Check The latest Baseball Picks from MLB Expert Handicappers

What to Expect in the Series Finale

With Brown locked in and Bradley on shaky ground, the Astros appear poised to take the series. Look for Houston to:

• Capitalize early with run support
• Lean on Brown’s control and momentum
• Exploit Tampa Bay’s struggles at home and Bradley’s inconsistency

If Houston’s bats stay warm and Brown continues his stellar run, expect the Astros to leave Florida with a crucial series win.