This is an 8* TOTAL SPECIAL on the UNDER Rays/Astros.

Both teams have been playing to several higher-scoring games late, but I expect those trends to end this evening.

The Rays have seen the total go OVER in three of their last five, including in yesterday's 7-3 win over the Astros here yesterday, while Houston has now seen the total eclipse the posted number in five straight (which is significant to note in our case as the Astros have in fact seen the total go UNDER the number in four of their last five after playing to five or more straight OVERS in a row.)

We have two awesome starters going head to head and I expect them to be the main story line in tomorrow's summary of this contest.

The visitors go with Shane McClanahan, hwo is 12-7 with a 2.51 ERA, while the home side counters with Christian Javier, who is 10-9 with a 2.65 ERA.

The overall situation, combined with the numbers/trends all point to the UNDER as the correct call in this one.

Good luck, NP