Toronto vs Houston   Results, Match Player Stats & Records

Altuve keyed Houston's 7-2 victory on Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs, his fifth multi-hit performance in the past seven games. The three-time American League batting champion was hitting just .224 before the current run raised his average to .241.

"He's been talking about making some changes to his swing, lowering his hands, trying to be on time," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "Foot down, hand in a striking position so he can be more efficient and shorter to the ball.

"Trying to stay away from the ground ball and making those more line drives and trying to get the ball in the air. That's what he's been focusing on."

Altuve will focus on providing support for Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (3-1, 3.42 ERA) on Wednesday.

After failing to record a winning decision (0-1, 5.22 ERA) over his first six starts following his return from the injured list mid-June, Brown has won back-to-back starts while posting a 1.42 ERA with 12 strikeouts against only two walks in 12 2/3 innings. Brown had issued 15 walks in his three previous starts.

Brown is 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA in four career starts against the Blue Jays. He did not record a decision in the Astros' 4-2 loss at Toronto on June 22 after allowing one run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over three innings.

Jameson Taillon (2-6, 5.92 ERA with the Chicago Cubs) will make his Toronto debut in the series finale. The right-hander was acquired at the deadline in one of the Blue Jays' six deals at the trade deadline.

In his last start with the Cubs, Taillon allowed seven runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over four innings in an 8-7 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 26. Taillon was winless over his last nine starts with the Cubs, going 0-5 with a 7.19 ERA.

Taillon is 1-3 with a 4.81 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros. He and the Cubs lost 4-2 loss to Houston on May 22 after he yielded four runs on eight hits across 4 2/3 innings.

Taillon was one of three starting pitchers Toronto acquired at the deadline, joining right-handers Jose Soriano (Los Angeles Angels) and Spencer Arrighetti (Houston Astros). Blue Jays manager John Schneider is utilizing a six-man rotation in the near term, with Taillon and Soriano joining Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and Dylan Cease, the originally slated starter for Wednesday.

However, Yesavage departed the Tuesday game before the bottom of the third due to left knee discomfort.

Soriano (9-6, 3.29 ERA) in particular offers intrigue. He went 5-0 with a 0.24 ERA in his first six starts before leveling out, and his 57 walks lead the American League this season.

"What he's done over the last couple of years in terms of evolving as a pitcher has been really encouraging," Schneider said. "There are a few things that go into it that are more than what you see on video, more than what you see during games. I think there is a way to unlock more strike-throwing ability, and that comes with catching, too.

"I think there are some areas we want to try to evolve a little bit with his game, but I think he's got a really, really good starting point obviously to go forward with. He's having a great year, and all the reports we got about him the person are about as good as on the field, so I'm excited to work with him."

--Field Level Media