Astros vs. Rays Prediction, Odds, Picks - August 2
Preview the August 2 matchup between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.AUGUST 1•DATA SKRIVE
Xavier Edwards - Drives in three against TampaEdwards went 1-for-3 with three RBI in Wednesday's win over the Rays.
ImpactA sacrifice fly in the third inning and a two-run single in the seventh accounted for half of the Marlins' offense in a 6-2 victory over the team that traded Edwards to Miami in 2022. The 24-year-old shortstop is establishing himself as one of the key players in the Marlins' latest rebuild, slashing a stunning .395/.461/.500 through 24 games in July with a homer, nine steals, 12 RBI and 14 runs.
AUGUST 1•ROTOWIRE
Kyle Stowers - Tough start to Marlins tenureStowers went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in Wednesday's win over the Rays.
ImpactMaking his first start for the Marlins after being acquired from the Orioles in the Trevor Rogers trade, Stowers was dropped into the third spot in the batting order and may have felt the pressure of debuting with his new team. The 26-year-old was slashing .240/.322/.555 for Triple-A Norfolk in 58 games this season with 18 homers prior to the trade, and Miami will give him every chance to display that power in the majors.
AUGUST 1•ROTOWIRE
Calvin Faucher - Gets call in ninth inningFaucher struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during a 6-2 win over the Rays.
ImpactIt wasn't a save situation, but Faucher was still the pitcher manager Skip Schumaker called upon to protect Miami's first ninth-inning lead since Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres. Andrew Nardi, who was viewed as the most likely candidate to take over closing duties, pitched the sixth inning with a two-run lead, while Anthony Bender worked the eighth after the lead was extended to four runs. Faucher has pitched well enough to be in the high-leverage mix -- over his last 15 appearances, the right-hander has posted a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 14 innings.
AUGUST 1•ROTOWIRE
Josh Lowe - Swipes 10th bagLowe went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Miami.
ImpactIt's been a disappointing year overall for Lowe, but the outfielder now has four hits and two doubles in his last two contests. He's now slashing .225/.284/.371 with five homers, 19 RBI, 18 runs scored and 10 steals in 53 games this season. With Randy Arozarena and Amed Rosario both departing at the trade deadline, Lowe should be afforded a near-everyday role in Tampa Bay down the stretch.
AUGUST 1•ROTOWIRE
Andrew Nardi - Deployed in sixth inning WednesdayNardi collected his 12th hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Rays, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless sixth inning.
ImpactThe southpaw was considered the favorite to take over closing duties for the Marlins after Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres, but instead manager Skip Schumaker called on Nardi in the sixth inning Wednesday to protect a 4-2 lead. Miami wound up adding to its lead in the seventh, eliminating a potential save chance, but it still wasn't encouraging usage for any fantasy GMs hoping Nardi will pick up saves down the stretch. Anthony Bender, another potential closing option, was called on in the eighth inning after the lead was extended to 6-2, leaving the bullpen picture for the Marlins very murky.
AUGUST 1•ROTOWIRE
Jake Burger - Homers in back-to-back gamesBurger went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 6-2 win over Tampa Bay.
ImpactBurger put the Marlins ahead for good in the third inning Wednesday, cranking a 423-foot, two-run shot off a Taj Bradley two-strike pitch to put Miami ahead 4-2. The 28-year-old Burger's been heating up at the plate -- he's homered in back-to-back games while going 7-for-20 with three long balls in his last five contests. Overall, Burger's slashing .235/.282/.416 through 351 plate appearances this year with 15 homers, 42 RBI and 38 runs scored.
AUGUST 1•ROTOWIRE
