The Houston Astros (95-51) will be trying to increase their lead in the AL standings when they face the Tampa Bay Rays (81-64) in the first game of their three-game series on Monday night.
Luis Garcia, 12-8, 4.04 ERA, will get the start for the Astros. The Rays will counter with Drew Rasmussen, 10-5, 2.77 ERA.
Houston is 7-3 in its last 10 games against Tampa Bay.
**This preview was written before Sunday’s game was played**
The Astros played well over the past week, winning six of their last seven games. They will try to keep the momentum going with a win over the Rays, which will give them their seventh win in their last eight games.
Houston is averaging 4.53 runs per game. Their .246 batting average is 13th in the league. Their .320 on base percentage is sixth, as is their .424 slugging percentage.
Yordan Alvarez leads Houston with a .303 batting average and 37 home runs, while Kyle Tucker leads the team with 99 RBI.
Houston’s pitching is one of the best in the league, with the team giving up 3.23 runs per game. Opponents have a .212 batting average against the Astros, which is second in the league. Their 2.95 ERA is also second, as is their 1.10 WHIP.
In his last start, Garcia gave up eight hits and three runs in five innings, lea ding to a 12-4 win over Los Angeles. They will need another solid start from him if they want to win this game.