Astros vs Blue Jays Betting Preview: Toronto Looks to Slow Down the Defending Champs

Astros Remain Co-Favorite for World Series at +600

The Toronto Blue Jays will look to stay hot when they welcome the defending World Series champion Houston Astros for a three-game series starting Monday at Rogers Centre. The Astros took two of three games from Toronto when they squared off April 17-19 at Minute Maid Park.

Toronto is a -180 favorite to win the series, with Houston priced at +150. Will the Blue Jays back those odds? Read on for our Astros vs Blue Jays betting preview.

Jays Surging

Toronto had a big weekend, sweeping a three-game interleague series from the Mets at Citi Field. The Blue Jays — a +115 underdog to win the series — improved to 33-27 to keep pace in the MLB divisional standings. They are fourth place in the American League East, 8.5 games back of Tampa Bay.

The Blue Jays were fueled by their pitching, as Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, and Yusei Kikuchi combined to allow just three runs over 18.2 innings. In the process, Toronto improved its team ERA to 3.78, tied with San Diego for the seventh-lowest in baseball. Its 551 strikeouts are fifth-most, 16 behind Houston. Keep that in mind when assessing the Astros vs Blue Jays betting odds.

Right-hander Nate Pearson notched two wins in relief for the Blue Jays, while Jordan Romano had a pair of saves. Romano, a first-time All-Star in 2022, has a 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) in 25 appearances. He is 15 for 18 in save opportunities, tied for second-most in the majors with Baltimore’s Felix Bautista.

Houston’s Pitching Elite

Houston took three of four games from AL West rival Los Angeles over the weekend to move to 35-24. The Astros remain second in the MLB divisional standings, 3.5 games behind Texas. At +600, the Astros are co-favorites to defend their World Series title alongside the Braves and Dodgers. The Rays, who own baseball’s best record at 42-19, are close behind at +625.

The Astros should continue to get stronger, as its plus-58 run differential ranks third in the AL. Their team ERA of 3.24 is the best in baseball, while their 567 strikeouts are second-best. Framber Valdez (6-4, 2.16) and Christian Javier (7-1, 2.84) have been an elite duo atop Houston’s rotation, while Hunter Brown continues to surge up Rookie of the Year boards. Houston has been solid in relief too, as veteran closer Ryan Pressly has a 0.95 WHIP and is 11-of-12 in save opportunities.

Javier pitched well in a 9-2 victory over Toronto on April 17, limiting the Jays to one run over five innings.

Game 1

Alex Manoah vs Brandon Bielak

Day/Time:

Manoah has struggled to replicate his form from 2022 when he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and finished third in the AL Cy Young voting behind Justin Verlander and Dylan Cease. Through 12 starts this season, he is 1-6 with a 5.46 ERA and has allowed 10 home runs. He’ll oppose Bielak, who has a 3.19 ERA across six appearances (five starts).

Toronto is -1.5 (+150) on the run line and a -140 favorite to win outright, while Houston is priced at +125. The projected total is 9.5, per Astros vs Blue Jays betting odds.

Game 2

Kevin Gausman vs Hunter Brown

Day/Time:

At 4-3 with a 2.76 ERA, Gausman has established himself as Toronto’s ace. He has 100 strikeouts in 75 innings, second-most in baseball behind Atlanta right-hander Spencer Strider (113).

The 24-year-old Brown has been solid for Houston, with a 3.61 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 62.1 innings. At +800, Brown has the third-best odds for AL Rookie of the Year behind Boston outfielder Masataka Yoshida (+125) and Texas third baseman Josh Jung (+700).

Game 3

Chris Bassitt vs Ronel Blanco

Day/Time:

Bassitt is coming off one of his best starts of the season, in which he threw 7.2 shutout innings in a 3-0 victory over the Mets on Friday. He is 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA.

The 29-year-old Blanco made his first Major League start on Thursday against the Angels (5.1 innings, 2 ER).

Game 4

Jose Berrios vs Framber Valdez

Day/Time:

Berrios’ 3.66 ERA through 12 starts is more than a run lower than last season (5.23 ERA) when he was among the worst pitchers in baseball. He faces Valdez, who has a 2.16 and 84 strikeouts in 79 innings.

For MLB divisional standings, betting news, analysis, and more, visit pointspreads.com

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