The Toronto Blue Jays will be taking on the Houston Astros in a Saturday showdown. ATTSN Southwest will televise this AL matchup and the action gets underway at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Odds
Toronto (receiving +190) is entering this one as the underdog against Houston (-210) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this day game at 9.5 runs (+100 for the under and -120 for the over). The game’s current runline odds sit at -115 for betting the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and -105 for the Astros -1.5 runs.
The Astros are 47-23 straight up (SU) and 38-31 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 8.3 units for moneyline bettors and 6.2 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Blue Jays have gone 25-44 SU this year and are 31-37 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 15.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 12.3 units ATS. Toronto’s covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 30-38-1 so far in 2019. Blue Jays games have gone under 35 times, gone over 31 times and pushed on two occasions.
The southpaw Clayton Richard will get the start for Toronto. Richard is 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA and 11 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Astros are countering with Framber Valdez (2-2, 2.73 ERA). Valdez has 28 strikeouts and 13 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.21. Valdez did not record a start against the Blue Jays in 2018.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.55, a WHIP of 1.04 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.2. The bullpen has a 3.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.3 runs per contest, including 6.1 per game over its last 10 games and 6.6 per game over their last five. The team has hit .224/.330/.418 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ offense has been led by outfielders Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick. Brantley is hitting .313/.372/.510 with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs and 34 runs scored, and Reddick’s line is .300/.337/.438 with seven homers, 24 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
For the visiting squad, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.58 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.27, along with a WHIP of 1.50.
The Blue Jays offense has slashed .221/.289/.380 on its way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Freddy Galvis and Randal Grichuk continue to lead Toronto’s offense. Galvis is hitting .243/.284/.407 with nine home runs, 27 RBIs and 29 runs scored. Grichuk is slashing .218/.276/.405 with 12 homers, 26 RBIs and 33 runs scored.
The Blue Jays have gained 2.5 units and are 11-10 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in nine of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 6.7 units and are 12-8 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in seven of those games, compared to 13 which went under the total.
Blue Jays vs. Astros MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in three of Houston’s last seven games.
- The Blue Jays have a team OPS of .670 this season and an OPS of .675 against left-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .820 overall and .864 against lefties.
- The Astros have won three of their last four games SU.
- Houston has recorded 22.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 21.8 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 17 over their last 10.
