The Houston Astros are set to face the Toronto Blue Jays in a Canada Day matinee at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Monday. The two teams come into this matchup with contrasting records and performance trends, promising an intriguing contest for baseball enthusiasts.
Current Standings and Previous Encounters
The Astros, with a current record of 42-41, have shown resilience and capability this season. They've managed to take two of three games from Toronto in their previous encounter back in April. On the other hand, the Blue Jays, struggling with a 38-45 record, will look to leverage their home advantage.
When pitted against teams from the American League East, the Astros have posed a 6-7 record this season. Conversely, the Blue Jays have fared slightly better against AL West teams, boasting a 5-4 record.
Pitching Matchup
Monday's game will see Hunter Brown on the mound for the Astros. Brown holds a 5-5 record with a 4.37 ERA, showcasing his ability to be a reliable arm for Houston. Despite his .500 record, Brown's performances have often given his team a fighting chance.
Yariel Rodriguez will start for the Blue Jays. Sporting an 0-2 record and a 5.94 ERA, Rodriguez has had a rocky season. His most notable outing came in a 5-1 win over the San Diego Padres in April, where he pitched four innings, conceding three hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
Betting Odds
According to the betting odds, the Astros are favorites at -142. This suggests that despite the fluctuating form, the bookmakers see Houston as the more likely team to come out on top. The Blue Jays will need to capitalize on their home advantage and sharp performances from their key players to upset these odds.
Bats to Watch
Yordan Alvarez stands out for the Astros with his potent bat. Alvarez is currently batting .294 and has accumulated 19 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, and 41 RBI across 80 games. Notably, Alvarez has maintained his consistency with hits in four of his past five games and achieving four multi-hit games over his last ten outings.
For Houston, Mauricio Dubon has also been in commendable form, hitting in each of the last four games and in eight of the last ten. Dubon maintains a .293 average with 15 doubles, three home runs, and 29 RBI in 68 games, contributing significantly to the Astros' batting depth.
The Blue Jays turn to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is currently batting .297 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 50 RBI, and 40 runs scored over 83 games. Guerrero's recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, particularly in his four-game stint against the New York Yankees, where he went 8-for-17 with two doubles, three homers, and 10 RBI. One of those games saw Guerrero go 3-for-5, including a double, a home run, and six RBI, displaying his explosive potential.
Team Batting Averages
Houston holds the highest team batting average in Major League Baseball at .264. Toronto, on the other hand, ranks 20th with a team batting average of .236. This stark contrast highlights Houston's edge in offensive consistency and overall batting strength.
Head-to-Head Against Right-Handed Pitchers
The Astros have demonstrated relative success against right-handed pitchers this season, holding a 31-26 record. The Blue Jays, alternatively, have struggled more in similar matchups, posting a 31-36 record when facing right-handers.
As the two teams prepare to clash at 3:07 p.m. ET, fans are in for an engaging matchup filled with strategic plays and individual brilliance. The Astros will look to maintain their favorable record and assert dominance, while the Blue Jays aim to flip the script and celebrate Canada Day with a victory in front of their home crowd.