Winless Astros Look to Rebound Against Blue Jays
Blue Jays vs Astros Odds: Houston -150 Series Favorite
The MLB season hasn’t started as planned for the Houston Astros. But there will be plenty of opportunities to bounce back, starting with Monday’s (8:10 p.m. ET) series opener with the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park.
Houston is -1.5 (+142) on the run line and a -142 favorite on the moneyline, with Toronto priced +120 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total is 9, with a slight edge to the Over at -115. The Astros are also -150 favorites to win the series.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down the Blue Jays vs Astros odds in our MLB series preview.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Houston Astros 
Day/Time:
Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston
Streaming: SCHN
Betting Trends
The Toronto Blue Jays went 2-2 against the run line and 3-1 against the Over/Under during their first series. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are 0-4 ATS and just 0-3-1 against the Over/Under.
It’s a small sample size, but one that bettors should monitor nonetheless.
Bichette Banged Up
The Toronto Blue Jays held serve during its opening series, salvaging a four-game split with American League East rival Tampa Bay. After they were outscored 13-3 during the two middle games, the Blue Jays responded Sunday with a 9-2 victory. Justin Turner homered and drove in four runs.
The Blue Jays played without shortstop Bo Bichette, who was a late scratch for the series finale because of neck spasms. The 2023 AL All-Star was replaced by Ernie Clement, who went 1 for 5. Manager John Schneider said afterward that Bichette is day-to-day. Keep that in mind when assessing the Blue Jays vs Astros odds.
Expectations are reasonably high for the Blue Jays, with oddsmakers projecting them for 87.5 regular season wins. That won’t be enough to win the division, but it should have them in the hunt for the MLB playoffs. The Blue Jays are currently -120 to make the postseason.
Their fortunes will rely heavily on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is looking to bounce back from a campaign during which he hit only 26 homers with a .788 OPS, his worst since 2019. The three-time All-Star was 4 for 13 and homered once in the opening series.
Rocky Start
Houston is off to an inauspicious start after getting swept in a season-opening four-game series by the Yankees. The Astros were outscored 21-11 and homered just twice.
The Astros didn’t get much help from Yordan Alvarez, who produced just two hits in 17 at-bats.
Oddsmakers are bullish on the defending American League West champions, projecting them for an AL-best 92.5 wins. The Astros are also +400 to win the AL pennant and +850 to win the World Series. Currently, only the Dodgers (+340) and Braves (+380) have better World Series odds. Remember that when making your MLB predictions.
When assessing the Astros’ outlook, bettors shouldn’t put too much stock into their current record. Their pitching, in particular, should begin rounding into form. A rehab assignment is on tap for Justin Verlander, who began the season on the injured list after dealing with right shoulder inflammation during the offseason.
Right-handers Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers are also battling injuries, so the Astros could use a jolt.
Series Probables
Game 1
Bowden Francis vs Ronel Blanco
After 21 relief appearances over the last two seasons, Francis makes his first Major League start. The 27-year-old right-hander recorded a 1.73 ERA in 20 appearances in 2023. He opposes Blanco, who was 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 17 appearances (seven starts) last season. Walks (28 in 52 innings) were an issue at times.
That’s important to remember when analyzing the Blue Jays vs Astros odds and MLB scores today.
Game 2
Jose Berrios vs Framber Valdez
Berrios pitched well in his season debut, limiting Tampa Bay to two runs over six innings in an 8-2 win. He faces Valdez, who struggled in a 5-4 loss to the Yankees. Handed an early four-run lead, Valdez wound up lasting only 4.2 innings while walking six.
Game 3
Chris Bassitt vs Cristian Javier
Bassitt is looking to bounce back from an 8-2 loss to the Rays in which he allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings. The 35-year-old right-hander set career highs last year in wins (16), strikeouts (186) and innings pitched (200). The Astros will counter with Javier, who opened his season tossing six shutout innings in a 7-1 loss to the Yankees. Javier had a career-worst 4.56 ERA in 2023.
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