Toronto Blue Jays (10-6) vs. Houston Astros (7-9)
April 18, 2023 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -116 / Toronto Blue Jays -111; Over/Under: +9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros meet Tuesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. In the Monday opener, the Astros powered out a seven-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays took on the Rays over the weekend, winning two of three games. On Monday versus the Astros, Toronto was out-hit 10-5 in a 9-2 defeat. Starter Kevin Gausman lasted 4.2 innings with seven earned on seven hits and two walks.
Starter for the Blue Jays on Tuesday will be Chris Bassitt. In his three starts so far Bassitt is 1-2 with a 7.63 ERA and 12 Ks in 15.1 innings. Over his career through 139 games (126 starts), Bassitt is 47-36 with a 3.54 ERA.
Houston Astros
Over on the Houston side, they played the Rangers over the weekend and lost two of three games. On Monday the Astros posted a whopping seven runs in the first inning and cruised the rest of the way. Cristian Javier went 5.0 frames in the starting role with three hits, one earned and two walks.
Jose Urquidy will be the starter for the Astros on Tuesday. In his first three starts of the year Urquidy has gone 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. Urquidy is 25-13 with a 3.68 ERA in 66 career games (63 starts).
The Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last five Tuesday games and 4-11 in their last 15 versus the AL West. Toronto is 36-16 in their last 52 versus a right-handed starter.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 36-15 in their last 51 Tuesday games and 64-29 in their last 93 at home. Houston is 43-20 in their last 63 overall.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to try the Astros here. Urquidy has looked pretty good through three starts so far. In his last pair combined he’s got 11.1 innings with just one earned on nine hits and four walks. He should be able to post a solid outing here as well. In Monday’s opener, Houston got at least one hit from eight different batters—and three RBI apiece from Corey Julks and Jake Meyers. If Urquidy can keep it going in the start the Astros offense should be able to put the team in a winning position.
