The Houston Astros are set to play the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The game gets underway 7:07 p.m. ET and ATTSN Southwest will televise this AL matchup.
Houston Astros at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Toronto (+150) is the home-team underdog against Houston (-160) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -110 for taking the Astros -1.5 runs and -110 for the Blue Jays +1.5.
The Blue Jays are 71-86 straight up (SU) and 69-87 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 7.8 units for moneyline bettors and 29.0 units (ATS). Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Astros are 99-57 SU and have gone 80-75 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 4.3 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.8 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Toronto games have an over/under record of 79-68-9 in 2018. The Astros have been a decent under bet with a total record of 70-77-8.
Josh James will get the start for the visiting Astros. James (1-0, 2.81 ERA) has recorded 24 punchouts in 15 innings so far. He has yet to face the Blue Jays this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Blue Jays are putting the ball in the hands of righty Sam Gaviglio (3-8, 5.18 ERA), who has 99 punchouts and 33 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.42. Gaviglio made two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 0-2 record in 2017, posting a 0-2 record with a 5.25 ERA.
Toronto’s pitching staff has allowed 5.1 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The club’s starters have an ERA of 5.10, a WHIP of 1.43 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5. The bullpen has a 4.51 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9.1 K/9.
Toronto’s hitters have produced 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .275/.315/.485 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Right fielder Kevin Pillar and first baseman Justin Smoak have paced the Blue Jays’ batters this year. Pillar is hitting .249/.279/.422 with 15 home runs, 58 RBIs, 63 runs and 14 stolen bases, and Smoak’s line sits at .244/.353/.462 with 25 homers, 77 RBIs and 67 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.19 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 10.41 K/9. The bullpen has managed a solid ERA of just 3.07, along with a K-per-9 of 10.68.
Astros hitters have slashed .257/.334/.429 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this season, including 5.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve have paced Houston’s offense. Bregman is slashing .288/.395/.534 with 30 home runs, 101 RBIs and 103 runs scored, while Altuve is hitting .317/.388/.456 with 13 homers, 61 RBIs, 84 runs and 17 stolen bases.
The Astros have gained 2.8 units and are 51-44 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 47 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers.
Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- Houston has tallied 12 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Toronto has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have dropped three of their last four games SU.
- Houston has recorded 23.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.4 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
