The Houston Astros are off to an 0-4 start but an experienced clubhouse is unlikely to be pressing the panic button as their next series gets underway tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Though the Astros’ opening series with the Yankees was billed as a clash of contenders, it turned into an ugly sweep — and Houston snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday by blowing the lead in the ninth inning.
Still, the hosts are favored in the latest MLB odds against a Toronto team that rallied yesterday afternoon with a 9-2 win over the Rays to earn a split in that four-game series. Justin Turner scored his first home run as a Blue Jay as part of a four-RBI day.
Check out my best MLB picks for Blue Jays vs. Astros ahead of this April 1 matchup.
Blue Jays vs Astros odds
Blue Jays vs Astros predictions
Make no mistake, the Houston Astros are being tested after a rough opening series of the season, but I see them righting the ship here.
Despite dropping all four games against the Yankees, the Astros had the lead after five innings in three of those contests and I’m trusting a savvy home lineup to put together good at-bats against Bowden Francis, who’s making his first start for the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s also worth noting that the hosts have piled up 36 hits through their first four outings. The offense is humming, even if that’s not reflected yet in the win column.
Though the Blue Jays racked up nine runs on 10 hits yesterday, Bo Bichette sat out with neck spasms and could be sidelined again today. That would take some of the pop out of the top of the order for Toronto.
It’s April Fool’s Day, but the Astros won't be kidding around tonight. They need a win and I suspect they'll jump out to an early lead.
My best bet: Astros first-five 3-way moneyline (-103 at PROLINE+)
Blue Jays star player prop
George Springer Over 0.5 RBI (+162 at PROLINE+)
George Springer has fond memories of Minute Maid Park from his Astros days and I like these odds for him to continue his strong start to the season.
With the bottom of the Toronto lineup showing signs of life (five hits from the 7-8-9 holes yesterday), I see Springer having RBI opportunities tonight.
Of course, he could also just cash this prop with another long ball, and he’s second all-time in lead-off home runs.
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Blue Jays vs Astros moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- There’s been minimal line movement here with the Astros installed as favorites, but the Blue Jays won two games as underdogs in Tampa in their opening series.
- Houston’s pitching depth is already under pressure but the bullpen was supposed to be a strength. While I like the hosts to grind out their first win here, it was unnerving to see Josh Hader cough up the deciding run last night.
- Toronto is coming off a high-scoring series full of lopsided scorelines but I expect a tighter battle tonight, even with both starters largely pressed into action due to injuries.
- The Under is 6-3-1 in the past 10 meetings — and the last three all served up six runs or fewer.
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The Under was also a winner in the last three games of Houston's series against the Yankees.
Trend to know
The Blue Jays edged last season’s meetings 4-3, but the Astros won two of the three matchups at Minute Maid Park. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Astros
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Blue Jays vs Astros game info
| Location: | Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX |
| Date: | Monday, April 1, 2024 |
| First pitch: | 8:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, SCHN |
Starting pitchers
Bowden Francis (0-0, 0.00 ERA): Francis is stepping in as Toronto’s fifth starter with Alek Manoah sidelined, and he earned this crack at a starting spot after a string of solid performances in 2023, with a 1.73 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over 20 appearances.
Ronel Blanco (0-0, 0.00 ERA): Blanco featured in 17 games for Houston last season and logged a 2-1 record in seven starts. Like Francis, injuries have brought him into the rotation and he’ll look to build on his 2023 ERA of 4.50.
Latest injuries
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