The Houston Astros are playing host to the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. ATTSN Southwest will be televising this AL matchup and the game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Toronto (+195) as the underdog to Houston (-215). The total sits at 7.5 runs and bettors can take the over for +100 and the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at -110 for the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and -110 for the Astros -1.5.
The Blue Jays have gone 36-41 SU this year 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 over has hit 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 moneyline bettors and 5.1 units ATS. Houston has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 35-39-4 so far in 2018. Toronto has an over/under record of 35-33-8.
The left-handed J.A. Happ is getting the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. Happ is 9-3 with a 3.56 ERA and 102 strikeouts. 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 across four innings).
The Astros will turn to righty Justin Verlander (9-2, 1.60 ERA) to the mound. Verlander has 130 strikeouts and 21 walks to his name, 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 5.1 innings).
As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have yielded 3.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 2.89, a WHIP of 1.05 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.2. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.64, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 10.8.
Houston’s hitters are putting up 5.2 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .216/.339/.389 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer have paced the Astros’ offense this year. Altuve is hitting .345/.405/.492 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, 52 runs and 11 stolen bases, while Springer is hitting .269 with 15 homers, 42 RBIs and 57 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.90 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.20 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.04, along with a K/9 of 8.90.
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 team’s last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Third baseman Yangervis Solarte and outfielder Kevin Pillar continue to lead Toronto’s offense. 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 cashed 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 lefty starter. The over has hit in 13 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under.
Toronto Blue Jays at Houston Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Toronto has logged 22 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 14 XBH over its last five.
The Blue Jays have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
Toronto has recorded 22.0 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 contests and 23.2 over its last five.
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