Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The Jays are priced as -122 favourites on the MLB odds.
Astros vs. Blue Jays Betting Analysis
With all due respect to the Dodgers or Yankees, the Astros are the best organization in the sport right now with six straight trips not to just the playoffs but to at least the AL Championship Series. Houston has won two World Series in that six-year span, including last October, and is certainly good enough to win it again. If these teams play again after this week, it would be in the playoffs. I can all but guarantee Houston is back there barring major injury.
Toronto lost two of three at Houston from April 17-19, totalling just seven runs in the series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 1-for-12 with a solo homer. Matt Chapman had two solo shots. Former Astros World Series MVP George Springer was 0-for-11. Abreu was 5-for-12 in the series for Houston with four RBIs. Jake Meyers was 4-for-12 with a homer and five knocked in.
Houston lost two of three in Toronto last season.
Houston Astros
Houston has dominated the AL West for the most part during this dynastic stretch but is 3.5 games behind first-place Texas currently. The Astros probably still win the division. They had a chance for a four-game home sweep of a good Angels team on Sunday but lost 2-1. All-Star second baseman and future Hall of Famer Jose Altuve missed the final two games of the series with an oblique injury but is hopeful to play today. Right-hander Brandon Bielak (2-2, 3.19 ERA) takes the mound Monday. The 27-year-old largely worked out of the bullpen his first three seasons in Houston. Bielak allowed a run over 5.2 innings last time out vs. Minnesota. He’s 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA on the road. This will be his 13th career start in what is his 51th career MLB appearance. Bielak has gone 2-5 with a 5.18 ERA as a starter compared to 5-4-1 with a 4.56 ERA as a reliever. Only a few Jays have faced the 27-year-old. Matt Chapman is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. The Astros are 51-20 in their past 71 after a loss.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are in the midst of playing 30 games over the course of 31 days. All opponents in the stretch are currently over .500. The Mets were playing arguably their bets baseball of the season and the Jays went to Queens and swept three from New York over the weekend, allowing five total runs. Jordan Romano saved the 6-4 win Sunday and probably isn’t available today because he also pitched last Thursday and Friday. Middle reliever Nate Pearson probably isn’t, either, as he got the win both Saturday and Sunday. It’s struggling righty Alek Manoah (1-6, 5.46 ERA) on the mound here. Does the team have to demote him to the bullpen if Manoah struggles again? Toronto has lost the past six times he has taken the mound. Manoah’s lone career start vs. the Astros was last year in Houston where he allowed two runs over six in a win. Alex Bregman is 1-for-3 with a homer off him. The Jays are 2-5 in their past seven at home.
HOU
TOR