Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The Blue Jays return home from a successful road trip to open a 10-game homestand Monday night against the Houston Astros in what looks like a potential stellar pitchers’ duel. Toronto is -125 on the MLB odds with a total of 7.5 runs.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
Monday starts Toronto’s final homestand of the first half of the season as after this 10-game run it goes to Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego before the All-Star break. No doubt this series could have some AL playoff ramifications down the line.
It’s AL Wild Card or bust for the Blue Jays most likely as they sit third in the AL East, 8.5 games back of the first-place Yankees. But for a playoff spot, the Jays are -165. Houston had its dynastic run of eight straight playoff appearances end last season and is sitting fourth in the AL West, three games back of first-place Seattle. The Astros are two games out of the AL’s final WC spot held by Toronto. Houston is +240 for the postseason.
The Blue Jays will visit Houston for three from Aug. 3-5. Last year, Toronto lost the season series 4-2 but was 2-1 at Rogers Centre.
Houston Astros
The Astros won for the fourth time in five games Sunday, 2-1 over visiting Cleveland. The team has been playing a lot better since All-Star closer Josh Hader made his season debut off injury. The fireballing lefty had the save Sunday and is 1-0 with five saves and 1.13 ERA. Hader should be available Monday, though, as prior to Sunday he hadn’t pitched since Wednesday. Slugger Yordan Alvarez is the -145 favourite to win AL MVP for the first time. Not out the question he also wins the AL Triple Crown.
It’s ace right-hander Hunter Brown (1-0, 1.10 ERA) on the hill. He spent a large chunk of the season on injured reserve but returned last Tuesday vs. Detroit and was pretty sharp, allowing one run and three hits over 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts in a no-decision. This will mark Brown’s fourth start of the year and first away. He is 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA in three career starts vs. Toronto. The under is 8-2 in Houston’s past 10 in Toronto.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto got outfielder Dalton Varsho back from injury over the weekend at Wrigley Field in Chicago, and he homered on Saturday before Sunday’s game was rained out. That means the Jays will have to return there on a one-game trip Thursday, Aug, 6. Monday was to be the season debut off the injured list of righty and 2020 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber (won that with Cleveland). He was to be activated and start this one after five minor-league rehab appearances. But many pitchers are creatures of habit and don’t like their rhythm messed up.
So ace righty Dylan Cease is expected to start Monday; he was the scheduled guy Sunday. Presumably, Bieber would then go Tuesday. Cease (4-3, 2.71 ERA) is among big-league leaders 110-strikeouts. The 30-year-old won in Boston last time out with five shutout innings. He is 1-3 with a 3.35 ERA in eight starts vs. Houston. The Jays are 9-2 in their past 11 vs. the AL West.
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