Friday begins the final series of the regular season between the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays, with the Jays opening as slight home favourites to win Game 1 on the MLB odds.

Betting Analysis

If these teams play again, it won’t be until October in the playoffs but that’s extremely possible, especially with the additional wild-card team. Although, Houston has been a moderate disappointment so far. Maybe the team’s most talented pitcher, Lance McCullers Jr., is out until probably mid-June after being hurt in the 2021 playoffs. The Astros have dealt with a few other key injuries as well.

Last weekend in Houston, the Blue Jays took two of three and could have swept but closer Jordan Romano allowed a walk-off two-run homer to Astros rookie Jeremy Pena in the bottom of the 10th inning of the finale. Pena is the club’s new everyday shortstop after All-Star Carlos Correa left in free agency.

Last season, the Jays were 1-2 at home vs. Houston but “home” was Buffalo, NY.

Houston Astros

The Astros’ 218-151 road record since 2017 is tops in the AL in that span. They are 7-0 overall this season when scoring four or more runs and 9-2 when scoring first. Second baseman and former AL MVP and batting champion Jose Altuve hasn’t played since April 18 due to a hamstring injury but is eligible to be activated Friday and it sounds like he will be activated. Starting on the mound Friday is scheduled to be right-hander Jose Urquidy (1-1, 5.52). He pitched last Saturday vs. the Jays and allowed two runs over 5.2 innings of a no-decision with three strikeouts and a walk. Former Astro and current Blue Jay George Springer led off the game with a homer vs. Urquidy. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 4-for-9 career off him with a homer and Bo Bichette 3-for-9 with a solo shot. Matt Chapman is just 1-for-9 with five Ks. Urquidy is 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA in three career starts vs. the Jays. Houston is 6-14 in its past 20 as an underdog.

Toronto Blue Jays

Guerrero sat out for the first time this season on Thursday vs. Boston after fouling a ball off his foot Wednesday. X-rays came back negative but obviously something to monitor if he can start Friday. Perhaps he will have to play at DH if he does. Toronto starts lefty Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 3.75 ERA) on the mound in the opener – the bullpen better be ready because Kikuchi has lasted five innings just once in the early going. He took a no-decision last Sunday in Houston in allowing four runs (two earned) over 3.2 innings with five walks and four strikeouts. Kikuchi’s 10 walks in 12 innings are a major red flag. He also had control problems last year while with the Mariners. Because he spent the past few years in the AL West, plenty of Astros have several at-bats against him. Yordan Alvarez is 6-for-20 with two doubles and two homers off him. Yuli Gurriel 5-for-21 with two homers. Michael Brantley just 2-for-18 and Kyle Tucker 0-for-10. Toronto is 6-1 in its past seven in Game 1 of a series.

MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Astros vs. Blue Jays?

• Regular Season

Astros Team Leaders

HOU

HR	Yordan Alvarez 22
BA	Yordan Alvarez 0.31
SB	Kyle Tucker 13

TOR

HR	Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 17
BA	Gabriel Moreno 0.33
SB	George Springer 6

• Regular Season

Blue Jays Team Leaders

HOU

HR	Yordan Alvarez 22
BA	Yordan Alvarez 0.31
SB	Kyle Tucker 13

TOR

HR	Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 17
BA	Gabriel Moreno 0.33
SB	George Springer 6

Injuries

Houston

Josh James (RP)

Out indefinitely Back - 23 / 06 / 22

Yordan Alvarez (DH)

Prob Tues Hand - 18 / 06 / 22

Aledmys Diaz (SS)

Ques Fri Shoulder - 18 / 06 / 22

Hector Neris (RP)

Prob Sat Suspension - 15 / 06 / 22

Jeremy Pena (SS)

Prob Sun Thumb - 14 / 06 / 22

Jeremy Pena (SS)

Ques Wed Rest - 08 / 06 / 22

Hector Neris (RP)

Ques Fri Suspension - 07 / 06 / 22

Parker Mushinski (SP)

Out indefinitely Elbow - 07 / 06 / 22

Blake Taylor (RP)

Out indefinitely Elbow - 03 / 06 / 22

Jose Altuve (2B)

Prob Tues Concussion - 30 / 05 / 22

Toronto

Alejandro Kirk (C)

Prob Sat Hand - 25 / 06 / 22

Yimi Garcia (RP)

Out indefinitely Back - 22 / 06 / 22

George Springer (CF)

Ques Sun Elbow - 21 / 06 / 22

Trevor Richards (RP)

Out indefinitely Neck - 18 / 06 / 22

Bo Bichette (SS)

Prob Sat Foot - 16 / 06 / 22

George Springer (CF)

Ques Thurs Rest - 16 / 06 / 22

Matt Chapman (3B)

Prob Fr Wrist - 16 / 06 / 22

Julian Merryweather (RP)

Out indefinitely Oblique - 13 / 06 / 22

Alejandro Kirk (C)

Ques Sat Rest - 11 / 06 / 22

Matt Chapman (3B)

Prob Tues Wrist - 11 / 06 / 22

Injuries

Houston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Josh James (RP)	Out indefinitely	Back - 23 / 06 / 22	4-0	1-2-1	+ -
James has wound up on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain, and there is no timetable for return.
Yordan Alvarez (DH)	Prob Tues	Hand - 18 / 06 / 22	7-2	4-3-2	+ -
Alvarez was absent from the previous game with a hand injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Tuesday's clash versus the Mets.
Aledmys Diaz (SS)	Ques Fri	Shoulder - 18 / 06 / 22	7-2	4-3-2	+ -
Diaz has missed the previous four games due to left shoulder tightness, and it is uncertain if he will be active Friday versus the Yankees.
Hector Neris (RP)	Prob Sat	Suspension - 15 / 06 / 22	7-4	4-5-2	+ -
Neris is serving a three-game suspension for an on-field incident, but it is projected that he will return when first eligible to against the White Sox on Saturday.
Jeremy Pena (SS)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 14 / 06 / 22	8-4	5-5-2	+ -
Pena has hit the 10-day injured list due to left thumb discomfort, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's tilt against the Yankees.
Jeremy Pena (SS)	Ques Wed	Rest - 08 / 06 / 22	9-8	8-7-2	+ -
Pena is unlikely to suit up against the Mariners on Wednesday, as it is anticipated that he will be given a day or rest.
Hector Neris (RP)	Ques Fri	Suspension - 07 / 06 / 22	10-8	9-7-2	+ -
Neris has been handed a four-game suspension for an on-field incident. He is appealing the decision and will be permitted to play until a final ruling has been reached.
Parker Mushinski (SP)	Out indefinitely	Elbow - 07 / 06 / 22	10-8	9-7-2	+ -
Mushinski is on the 15-day injured list with discomfort in his left elbow, and there is no timetable for return.
Blake Taylor (RP)	Out indefinitely	Elbow - 03 / 06 / 22	11-10	11-8-2	+ -
Taylor has wound up on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his left elbow, and there is no timetable for return.
Jose Altuve (2B)	Prob Tues	Concussion - 30 / 05 / 22	13-12	11-12-2	+ -
Altuve exited the previous game and is going through the concussion protocol. It is projected that he will take on the Athletics on Tuesday.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Alejandro Kirk (C)	Prob Sat	Hand - 25 / 06 / 22	2-0	2-0	+ -
Kirk exited the previous game with a left hand contusion, but it is projected that he will face the Brewers on Saturday.
Yimi Garcia (RP)	Out indefinitely	Back - 22 / 06 / 22	2-2	4-0	+ -
Garcia has been assigned to the 15-day injured list with a left back strain, and it remains to be seen when he will return to the lineup.
George Springer (CF)	Ques Sun	Elbow - 21 / 06 / 22	3-2	5-0	+ -
Springer has been absent from the previous three games due to right elbow discomfort, and it is unclear if he will suit up Sunday versus the Brewers.
Trevor Richards (RP)	Out indefinitely	Neck - 18 / 06 / 22	3-4	6-1	+ -
Richards has been shifted to the 15-day injured list due to a neck strain, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Bo Bichette (SS)	Prob Sat	Foot - 16 / 06 / 22	3-6	8-1	+ -
Bichette was absent from the last game due to a right foot contusion, but it is projected that he will be active versus the Yankees on Saturday.
George Springer (CF)	Ques Thurs	Rest - 16 / 06 / 22	3-6	8-1	+ -
Springer is unlikely to be active against the Orioles on Thursday, as he is projected to receive a day of rest.
Matt Chapman (3B)	Prob Fr	Wrist - 16 / 06 / 22	3-6	8-1	+ -
Chapman sat out the last game due to a sore right wrist, but it is projected that he will be in Friday's lineup versus the Yankees.
Julian Merryweather (RP)	Out indefinitely	Oblique - 13 / 06 / 22	5-7	10-2	+ -
Merryweather has been designated for the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Alejandro Kirk (C)	Ques Sat	Rest - 11 / 06 / 22	6-8	11-3	+ -
Kirk is unliekly to face the Blue Jays on Saturday, as he is projected to receive a day of rest.
Matt Chapman (3B)	Prob Tues	Wrist - 11 / 06 / 22	6-8	11-3	+ -
Chapman has been held out of the last three contests with wrist soreness, but it is projected that he will lace up for Tuesday's tilt against the Orioles.

Weather

temp	68
condition	indoors