The Houston Astros are gearing up for a Canada Day matinee showdown against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Monday. This clash presents an exciting opportunity for both teams to recalibrate their standing mid-season.
Astros Aiming to Build on Past Success
Having secured two out of three wins against the Blue Jays back in April, the Astros come into this game with a slightly positive record of 42-41. Despite the mixed performance this season, Houston holds a 6-7 record against American League East teams. The Astros will look to capitalize on their previous success against Toronto to tilt the balance in their favor.
Pivotal to Houston’s ambitions will be starting pitcher Hunter Brown, who carries a 5-5 record and a 4.37 ERA into the game. Brown’s consistency on the mound could prove crucial as the Astros aim to fortify their somewhat shaky season record.
Blue Jays’ Season Struggles
The Blue Jays, currently standing at a 38-45 record, have had a challenging season, highlighted by an 11-16 run in June. While Toronto has maintained a decent performance against AL West teams with a 5-4 record, their overall season struggles reflect in their win-loss ratio.
Starting for Toronto will be Yariel Rodriguez, whose season has been less than stellar with an 0-2 record and a 5.94 ERA. However, Rodriguez showcased glimpses of his potential during his best outing in a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in April. In that game, he pitched four innings, yielding just three hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
Key Players to Watch
For Houston, Yordan Alvarez remains a standout performer. Batting .294 with 19 doubles, one triple, 16 homers, and 41 RBI across 80 games, Alvarez has shown reliability and power. Notably, he has hit in four of his past five games and recorded four multi-hit games over his last ten outings.
Another contributor for the Astros, Mauricio Dubon, has been consistently productive. With a .293 average, 15 doubles, three homers, and 29 RBI in 68 games, Dubon has hit in each of the last four games and in eight of the last ten.
From the Blue Jays’ side, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a player to watch. With a .297 batting average, 17 doubles, 13 homers, and 50 RBI over 83 games, Guerrero has demonstrated formidable skill. His performance in a recent four-game series against the New York Yankees was particularly commendable, where he went 8-for-17 (.471) with two doubles, three homers, and 10 RBI. Notably, Guerrero went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, and six RBI in one of those games.
Statistical Insights
A comparative look at team batting averages reveals Houston’s strengths and Toronto’s areas for improvement. The Astros boast the highest team batting average in MLB at .264, whereas the Blue Jays lag behind, positioned 20th with a .236 average.
The Astros have shown greater prowess against right-handed pitchers, holding a 31-26 record. In contrast, the Blue Jays have struggled with right-handers, reflected in their 31-36 record.
Betting Odds
According to betting odds, the Astros are favorites at -142, a testament to their perceived edge given current form and past performances. Nevertheless, as any seasoned observer knows, baseball’s unpredictability means the Blue Jays have every chance to defy expectations.
The game promises to be a captivating contest as both teams seek to harness momentum and secure a much-needed win. Scheduled to start at 3:07 p.m. ET, fans can look forward to an afternoon of intense baseball action as the Astros and Blue Jays face off in this mid-season encounter.