Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 7/29/23

On Saturday, the Houston Astros will have the home-field advantage at Minute Maid Park as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros have been a dominant force in baseball in recent years, making multiple postseason appearances and even winning the World Series in 2017.

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Despite facing some challenges this season, including key players leaving in the offseason and dealing with injuries, the Astros have remained a competitive team and currently have a winning record. Their resilience and depth have allowed them to maintain their position as contenders in the AL West.

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On the other side, the Tampa Bay Rays had an exceptional start to the season, making MLB history with their performance. While they faced some setbacks, they have proven themselves as a strong team and are positioned well for a postseason run.

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The game is likely to be a closely contested battle between two second-place teams in their respective divisions, both hungry for a win to gain ground on their division leaders. Pitching is expected to play a significant role in this matchup, as both teams have solid arms on their roster.

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Considering the recent trends, the free MLB pick suggests betting on the total runs staying under 8.5, indicating a pitching-oriented game. However, the final outcome favors the Houston Astros, who have the advantage of playing at home and have shown their ability to bounce back from tough losses.

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In a thrilling showdown, the prediction leans towards the Houston Astros securing a victory with a final score of 5-3, adding to their impressive season record and continuing their push for another successful postseason campaign.