The Toronto Blue Jays will make a road trip to Minute Maid Park to take on the Houston Astros. This AL showdown will get going at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to ATTSN Southwest to catch the game.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Odds
Vegas has listed Toronto (+195) as the dog to Houston (-215). The total stands at 7.5 runs and bettors can take the over for +100 and the under for -120. The games runline odds sit at -110 for taking the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and -110 for the Astros -1.5.
The Blue Jays are 36-41 SU and are 36-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.1 units for moneyline bettors and 8.3 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 52-27 SU and 43-35 ATS. They’ve gained 4.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.1 units ATS. Houston has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Astros games have a 35-39-4 over/under record thus far in 2018. Toronto has an over/under record of 35-33-8.
J.A. Happ will get the start for the visiting Blue Jays. The left-handed Happ (9-3, 3.56 ERA) has recorded 102 strikeouts in 91 innings so far. He has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 4.50 ERA and three strikeouts over four innings).
The Astros are turning to righty Justin Verlander (9-2, 1.60 ERA), who’s got 130 strikeouts and 21 walks as well as a 0.78 WHIP. Verlander only made one start against the Blue Jays in 2017 (0-1, 3.38 ERA and five strikeouts across five and 1-third innings).
Houston’s pitchers have given up 3.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The clubs starters have a 2.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.64, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 10.8.
Houston’s offense has produced 5.2 runs per contest, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .216/.339/.389 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Astros batters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer. Altuve is hitting .345/.405/.492 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, 52 runs and 11 stolen bases, and Springer’s line sits at .269/.352/.469 with 15 homers, 42 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Toronto’s pitching staff allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.90 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.20 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.04, along with a WHIP of 1.39.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .237/.312/.422 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this year, including 4.2 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Third baseman Yangervis Solarte and right fielder Kevin Pillar continue to lead Toronto’s hitters. Solarte is hitting .255/.309/.463 with 15 home runs, 44 RBIs and 38 runs scored, while Pillar (.242/.276/.410) has produced seven homers, 28 RBIs, 35 runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Blue Jays have gained 5.5 units and are 22-25 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 20 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 5.7 units and are 14-15 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 13 of those games, as opposed to 15 that’ve gone under.
Toronto Blue Jays at Houston Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of Houston’s last seven games.
- Toronto has recorded 22.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.2 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
