The Toronto Blue Jays will face the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. ATTSN Southwest will be televising this AL matchup. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Odds
Toronto (+205) is entering this one as the underdog to Houston (-225) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 8.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the games total sit at -110 for both the over and the under. Runline odds stand at -105 for picking the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and -115 for the Astros -1.5 runs.
The Astros are 53-28 straight up (SU) and 44-36 against the spread (ATS). The teams gained 3.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.0 units (ATS). The Blue Jays are 37-42 SU and have gone 38-40 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 2.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 6.3 units ATS.
Astros games have an over/under record of 37-39-4 so far in 2018. Toronto has an over/under record of 37-33-8.
Right-hander Marco Estrada will get the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. Estrada is 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA and 68 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 3.86 ERA and seven strikeouts across seven innings).
The Astros will turn to lefty Dallas Keuchel (4-8, 3.90 ERA), who has 77 strikeouts and 25 walks to his name as well as a 1.31 WHIP. Keuchel did not record a start against the Blue Jays in 2017.
Houston’s pitching staff has yielded 3.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The teams starters have a 2.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.67, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 10.9.
Houston’s offense has put up 5.2 runs per outing, including 5.3 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .231/.350/.408 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer have led the charge for the Astros offense this year. Altuve is slashing .345/.408/.492 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, 54 runs and 11 stolen bases, while Springer’s line is .263/.345/.460 with 15 homers, 42 RBIs and 58 runs.
In the other dugout, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.12 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.13, along with a K/9 of 8.94.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .236/.311/.421 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 4.2 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 3.6 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Toronto’s hitters have been paced by third baseman Yangervis Solarte and right fielder Kevin Pillar. Solarte is hitting .252/.310/.455 with 15 home runs, 44 RBIs and 39 runs scored, while Pillar (.242/.275/.407) is up to seven homers, 28 RBIs, 35 runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Blue Jays have lost 11.6 units and are 14-15 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 13 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 11.3 units and are 30-20 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 24 that went under the total.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has cashed in only two of Toronto’s last seven games.
- The Astros have won three of their last four games SU.
- Toronto has posted 21.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 21.2 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 13 over their last 10.
