Yordan Alvarez’s power and Yandy Diaz’s consistency set the stage for the Rays vs. Astros on Sunday, July 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Daikin Park, with the Astros countering Tampa Bay’s ace plan via Mason Englert. A long list of injuries—ranging from 10-day IL stints
Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, the Tampa Bay Rays head to Daikin Park for a matchup against the Houston Astros, and the storyline starts with two everyday anchors for each lineup.
Yordan Alvarez leads Houston into the game, and it’s not just reputation—his season numbers back it up. Alvarez is batting .324, the fourth-best average in the league, with a .433 on-base percentage and a .645 slugging line. He has 29 home runs. which rank second in MLB. 67 RBIs. which are first in MLB. and an OPS of 1.078. also first in MLB. He’s scored 62 total runs, with a 17% strikeout rate and a 15.2% walk rate in 388 plate appearances.
On the other side, Yandy Diaz brings a similarly eye-catching batting average. Diaz is hitting .325, the third-best average in the league, slashing .325/.408/.495 with 12 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 46 runs scored. His season includes a 13.3% strikeout rate and a 10.3% walk rate across 369 plate appearances.
The pitching matchup matters, too. Peter Lambert (6-5, 3.51 ERA) gets the start for the Astros. For the Rays, Mason Englert (0-1, 3.96 ERA) is listed as the starter.
Houston enters at 44-47 this season, sitting third in the AL West. Tampa Bay is 52-34 and leads the AL East.
Injuries are a huge part of how this game will feel before the first pitch. The Astros’ list includes Jeremy Peña on the 10 Day IL (Calf). Braden Shewmake on the 10 Day IL (Groin). Kai-Wei Teng on the 15 Day IL (Knee). Lance McCullers on the 15 Day IL (Shoulder). and a 60 Day IL group that includes Hayden Wesneski (Elbow). Carlos Correa (Ankle). Ronel Blanco (Elbow). Bennett Sousa (Elbow). Brandon Walter (Elbow). and Raynel Delgado. who is day-to-day with a Finger injury.
The Rays’ availability is also uncertain. Jake Fraley is on the 10 Day IL (Groin). Jesse Scholtens is on the 15 Day IL (Wrist). and Steven Matz is on the 15 Day IL (Ankle). Tampa Bay also lists Manuel Rodriguez on the 60 Day IL (Elbow). Steven Wilson on the 60 Day IL (Back). Ryan Pepiot on the 60 Day IL (Hip). Gavin Lux on the 60 Day IL (Shoulder). Jon Heasley on the 60 Day IL (Elbow). Edwin Uceta on the 60 Day IL (Shoulder). and Chandler Simpson as day-to-day with a Finger injury.
There’s more to watch in Houston beyond Alvarez. Christian Walker, in 369 plate appearances, is slashing .238/.312/.464 with 19 long balls (16th in MLB), 56 RBIs (16th in MLB), and 46 runs scored. His season strikeout rate is 22.5% and his walk rate is 8.4%.
Junior Caminero is another name to track. He is hitting .291 BA, .379 OBP, and .566 SLG with a 17.8% strikeout rate and a 12.7% walk rate. His OPS is .945, which ranks 3rd in MLB, and he has scored 57 runs. In 377 plate appearances, Caminero has hit 26 home runs (4th in MLB) and driven in 56 runs (16th in MLB).
Betting odds for the game are provided by BetMGM.
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Rays Astros July 5 watch Daikin Park Peter Lambert Mason Englert Yordan Alvarez Yandy Diaz MLB injury report
So who’s actually playing for the Rays? Sounds like half the lineup is hurt again.
Alvarez is batting .324 like that’s surprising? Astros always got some dude hitting bombs. Also didn’t Tampa used to be good at hitting too?
Mason Englert starting for Tampa and he’s 0-1… so Houston should cruise right? But then it says Tampa is leading the AL East so idk, maybe the injuries don’t matter? Like if Houston’s injured too then it cancels out or something.
Daikin Park??? wait that’s not where the Rays play, right? I’m confused. And all these IL stints before a game is wild, like how is anyone ever fully healthy. If Alvarez has 29 homers that’s impressive but RBIs first in MLB doesn’t mean anything if they lose, so hopefully the Rays pitching can figure it out.