Thursday MLB betting preview: Rays at Astros, Padres at Giants

Play: Astros runline

The Astros turn to Zack Greinke (14-4, 2.83 ERA) as they attempt to take the series finale with the Rays at Minute Maid Park on Thursday afternoon.

Greinke recorded a win in each of his first four starts for Houston, though he hasn't been all that sharp since he switched back to the American League. His WHIP over his last four efforts is 1.325. However, these Tampa hitters have struggled with Greinke in the past. The Rays' primary outfielders, Austin Meadows, Avisail Garcia and Tommy Pham, have totaled just two hits in 18 combined meetings with Greinke.

Tampa will reach into its bag of tricks, as Andrew Kittredge is expected to open the game, with Trevor Richards (4-12, 4.30 ERA) to follow. Richards is fresh off six shutout innings against the Orioles on August 23, but his overall stats in 2019 are not encouraging. Houston's irrepressible lineup (first in OPS this month at .932) should do damage.

San Diego Padres (61-71) at San Francisco Giants (65-67), 9:45 p.m. ET

Play: Giants moneyline first five innings (+105)

The Giants' offense should take advantage of skidding Padres starter Chris Paddack (7-7, 3.84 ERA) at Oracle Park on Thursday night but may have trouble holding the lead.

Paddack is 0-2 with a 10.06 ERA and 1.824 WHIP in his first four starts of August. It's difficult to envision him turning things around on the road, where he has produced a 4.23 ERA and .232 opponent batting average in 12 efforts. San Francisco's lineup is ninth in batting average this month (.265). Center fielder Kevin Pillar (.361, five home runs and 14 RBIs last 15 games) has been a key contributor.

Dereck Rodriguez (5-6, 5.26 ERA) will counter for the Giants. He has been inconsistent this season but has held San Diego to a .186 batting average in 12 innings. The big knock on San Francisco is its bullpen, which owns a 6.81 ERA over the last 14 days (29th). The Padres' bullpen owns a 2.19 ERA in the same span (second).