The Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Monday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. Here’s a Toronto Blue Jays vs Houston Astros prediction. This will be the first installment in a four-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Astros took on the New York Mets in their weekend series. Houston lost 7-2 in the Friday opener of that set, but then came back for a 9-6 win in game two. In the Sunday rubber match the Astros finally finished off the Mets in 11 innings by a score of 10-5. Shawn Dubin posted 3.1 clean innings in the start with no hits and three walks.
In the starting pitcher role for Houston on Monday it’ll be Hunter Brown. This year Brown is 5-5 with a 4.37 ERA in 16 games (15 starts). Over his career in the MLB Brown is 18-18 with a 4.53 ERA in 54 games (46 starts).
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
Over on the Blue Jays’ side, they’re fresh off a four-game series versus the rival New York Yankees. Toronto lost a blowout 16-5 Friday but otherwise took wins 9-2 in game one and 9-3 on Saturday. In the finale the Jays took an 8-1 loss. Starter Kevin Gausman had a bad outing with seven earned in 4.1 innings on seven hits and five walks.
As starter for Monday’s matchup Toronto will send out Yariel Rodriguez. This year over the first five starts of his MLB career Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 5.94 ERA and 17 Ks in 16.2 innings.
Blue Jays vs Astros Pick Injury Notes
Astros SP Luis Garcia (elbow) threw a scoreless inning at the Florida Complex League in a rehab appearance Friday.
Blue Jays RP Jordan Romano was shut down Friday after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Blue Jays’ last seven games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Eleven of the Astros’ last 12 road games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last five games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Astros’ last three day games.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Justin Turner has recorded at least one total base in 14 of his last 15 home appearances against AL West opponents.
- Justin Turner has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last five appearances with his team as a home underdog against AL West opponents.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded at least one Single in 12 of the Blue Jays’ last 13 day games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays’ last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded at least one Double in four of the Blue Jays’ last five games as underdogs against AL opponents.
- Justin Turner has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 home appearances against AL West opponents.
- Bo Bichette has scored at least one run in each of his last four appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Jose Altuve has hit a home run in four of the Astros’ last five games as favorites against AL East opponents.
- Jose Altuve has recorded an RBI in four of the Astros’ last five games as favorites against AL East opponents.
- Alex Bregman has recorded at least one Single in each of the Astros’ last six road games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros’ last 10 games as favorites against AL East opponents.
- Yordan Alvarez has scored at least one run in each of his last five road appearances.
- Jose Altuve has recorded at least one total base in each of the Astros’ last 10 games as favorites against AL East opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Houston Astros Prediction
I’ll just stay with Houston here. Brown is rolling along nicely on the mound these days. Over his last three starts combined Brown is 3-0 with just one earned run in 19.0 innings on 14 hits and three walks. As for Rodriguez, he’s coming off a rough start versus Cleveland on June 21, taking the loss with 1.1 innings and four earned runs.
On Sunday the Astros blew a 4-0 lead after five innings. Fortunately for Houston, their bullpen was good enough to keep the team in the game (aside from a couple of rough appearances) until the bats could come alive in the 11th. It’d be nice to see the Astros tighten up in the later innings Monday, but they should be fine for the opener.