Game No. 105 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Houston Astros (68-36) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (54-52), July 31, 2017, 7:10 p.m. CT

TV: AT&T SportsNet-SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Rays SBNation Blog: DRaysBay

Pitching Matchup

RHP Charlie Morton (8-4, 3.84 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .294 BABIP, 3.71 xFIP) vs. RHP Alex Cobb(9-6, 3.46 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .268 BABIP, 4.47 xFIP)

Preview

The Astros are entering the final chapter of 2017. The trade deadline has come and gown and Houston didn’t make a major move.

But the Astros can’t shift their focus away from finishing the season strong. Houston has the AL West crown wrapped up, but the team needs to get healthy before the Astros.

The Astros are hoping to get back on the horse after losing the series against the Tigers. Houston sends out Charlie Morton in game one. Morton is 3-1 with a 3.28 ERA in four starts during the month of July. Morton is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Rays.

Corey Dickerson is batting .417 (5x12) with a home run against Morton in his career. Adeiny Hechavarria is batting 5-for-17 with two doubles against Morton.

Cobb (9-5) takes the mound Monday at Houston, he is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts during the month of July. Cobb is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two career starts against the Astros.

Brian McCann is batting 8-for-15 with two home runs against Cobb. Beltran is 2-for-6 with a home run.

Offensive Trends

Rays

Newest Ray Lucas Duda is batting .429 (3x7) in his last three games. Evan Longoria is batting .333 (9x27) with two home runs in his last seven games. Corey Dickerson is batting .174 (4x23) in his last six games. Brad Miller is batting .167 (3x18) with seven strikeouts.

Astros

Jose Altuve continues be on fire. He has five doubles in his last 24 at-bats. Alex Bregman is batting .353 (6x17) with two doubles and two home runs in his last five games. Brian McCann is batting 3x15 in his last four games.

Bullpen Usage

Rays

Sergio Romo, Alex Colome, Tommy Hunter, Chase Whitley, and Steve Cishek each appeared in 2 ²⁄₃ or more innings over the past week Tommy Hunter appeared in four games and threw 54 pitches.

Astros

Chris Devenski was used twice during the Tigers series over the weekend, needing 18 pitches over 1 ¹⁄₃ innings. Luke Gregerson, Francis Martes, Tony Sipp, and Joe Musgrove appeared in one outing against the Tigers — each needed 20 pitches to get through their outing.

Brad Peacock threw four innings on Friday, throwing 64 pitches.

Disabled List

Rays

Jake Odorizzi (P) - 10-Day DL - Lower back strain.

Daniel Robertson (SS) - 10-Day DL - Neck Spasms

Astros

Lance McCullers Jr. (RHP) - 10-Day DL - Lower back discomfort.

Will Harris (RHP) - 10-Day DL - Right shoulder inflammation.

George Springer (OF) - 10-Day DL - Left quad discomfort - Springer was placed on the DL retroactive as of July 25.

Carlos Correa (SS) - 10-Day DL - Torn Ligament - The Astros all-star shortstop is expected to be back in September.

Colin Moran (3B/1B) - 10-Day DL - Facial Fracture/Concussion - Moran has returned to Houston and is expected at least 6-to-8 weeks.