Game #70 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays (26-42) at Houston Astros (31-38), 3:10 pm (CT)

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Rays SBNation Blog: DRaysBay

Pitching Matchup

RHP Jarred Cosart (5-5, 4.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) vs. RHP Chris Archer (3-3, 3.42 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)

Preview

Not much went right for the Astros yesterday with Collin McHugh on the mound. Jarred Cosart hopes to change the Astros' fortunes today as he squares off against Chris Archer.

Cosart has quietly had an impressive run of keeping the Astros in winnable situations. He has allowed three runs or less in nine straight starts since his outing in mid-April where he failed to record a second out. He has a record of 4-3 with a 3.13 ERA during that span. Cosart has given up six runs over his last 12.2 innings with 16 strikeouts. The key to Cosart's success has been his control in the zone, he has given just three walks over those same 12.2 innings.

Cosart's first major league start came against the Rays last season - he held the Rays to two hits over eight innings. The Astros young righty had a no-hitter going through 6.1 innings in the game. As a result, only James Loney and Ben Zobrist have hits off Cosart in their careers.

The Astros aren't the only team jumping head first into signing young talent, the Rays signed Chris Archer to a six-year extension worth $43.75 million at the start of this season. Archer had just one full season under his belt where he posted a record of 9-7 with a 3.22 ERA. Archer hasn't disappointed with his new contract, he has allowed only three runs over his last 31 innings.

Archer made two starts against Houston last season; holding Houston to two runs over six inning on July 4 and then he pitched a complete game shutout on July 14. He's pretty much been in control when facing the Astros, Jose Altuve (1-7), Jason Castro (1-6), and Alex Presley (1-3) are the only Astros with a hit off Archer.

Jon Singleton will be a new challenge for Archer

.@iLLJAY_SiNG's 4 homers through his first 11 career games tie @JDMartinez14 for the most at that point for an @Astros player.

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) June 14, 2014

Sure the World Cup, PGA Open, and College World Series is on, but why not watch some Astros baseball.