The Houston Astros are set to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Canada Day matinee at the Rogers Centre in Toronto this Monday. With the season in full swing, both teams are looking to solidify their positions in the standings and build momentum as they enter the second half of the season.
Astros: Gaining Ground
Currently, the Astros hold a marginally positive record of 42-41. They had a decent showing against Toronto earlier this season, taking two out of three games in their April series. This time around, they’ll be looking to replicate that success and improve their 6-7 record against American League East teams.
Hunter Brown will take the mound for Houston, bringing with him a 5-5 record and a 4.37 ERA. Despite these middling statistics, the betting odds favor the Astros, who stand at -142. The Houston batting lineup, led by notable performances from Yordan Alvarez and Mauricio Dubon, should provide solid support. Alvarez has a robust .294 batting average, and his 16 homers and 41 RBIs are clear indicators of his impact on the field. He has had hits in four of his past five games and four multi-hit games in his last ten outings. Dubon has also been consistent, with a .293 average, including 15 doubles and three homers over 68 games.
Blue Jays: Searching for Consistency
The Blue Jays have struggled to find consistency this season, currently sitting at a 38-45 record. Their June performance was less than stellar, finishing the month with an 11-16 record. However, they maintain a positive 5-4 record against AL West teams, providing a glimmer of hope as they prepare to face the Astros.
Yariel Rodriguez will start for Toronto, carrying an 0-2 record and a hefty 5.94 ERA. Rodriguez’s season has been rocky, but he showcased his potential during a standout performance against the San Diego Padres in April. In that game, Rodriguez worked four innings, giving up just three hits and one earned run while striking out seven. The Blue Jays will be hoping for a similar display to boost their chances against a formidable Houston lineup.
Key Players to Watch
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stands out as a critical component of Toronto's offense. Batting .297 with 17 doubles, 13 homers, 50 RBIs, and 40 runs scored over 83 games, Guerrero has proven he's a force to be reckoned with. His recent series against the New York Yankees was impressive; he went 8-for-17 with two doubles, three homers, and 10 RBIs, including a spectacular 3-for-5 game where he collected a double, a home run, and six RBIs.
Statistical Showdown
Offensively, the Astros have been more potent, boasting a team batting average of .264, the highest in MLB. In contrast, the Blue Jays’ team average stands at .236, ranking them 20th. This disparity underscores the challenge Toronto faces as they gear up to meet a team known for their hitting prowess.
Against right-handed pitchers, the Astros have displayed competence with a 31-26 record. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays lag behind, holding a 31-36 record. This could prove significant since both Hunter Brown and Yariel Rodriguez are right-handed, potentially tipping the scales in Houston's favor.
With the game’s scheduled start at 3:07 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on the Rogers Centre to witness a clash that, while not season-defining, offers significant implications for both teams as they push through the rigorous MLB calendar.