The Houston Astros (36-25) and Toronto Blue Jays (34-28) will square off in the second of a four-game series on Wednesday. The Blue Jays will host this one at the Rogers Centre, with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 pm ET.
After dropping the first game, the Blue Jays were able to bounce back with a 5-1 win on Tuesday. In the win, George Springer, Daulton Varsho, and Bo Bichette homered, while Kevin Gausman picked up his fifth win of the season.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays are the favorites playing at home. They are -156 to win, while the Astros’ moneyline sits at +132. The runline features Houston +1.5 (-140), and the over/under for total runs is 9.5 (-110).
Astros Hope To Have Altuve Back Wednesday
While the Houston Astros are incredibly loaded, the expected return to the lineup of Jose Altuve is a welcomed sight for the Astros. Having missed the last several days with an oblique injury, Altuve is expected to start on Wednesday.
Due to a broken thumb that kept him out the first part of the season, Altuve only has 42 at bats. In that span, he is hitting .286/.388/.500 with a couple of home runs and six runs batted in. While Mauricio Dubon has filled in admirably, he is no Altuve.
Aside from the second baseman, Yordan Alvarez has been the biggest part of the offense thus far. He is currently hitting .274/.388/.574 with a team-leading 16 home runs, 53 runs batted in, and 40 runs scored.
On the mound, manager Dusty Baker will turn to righty Ronel Blanco. In 10 games, Blanco is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, and he has 21 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. On June 1, Blanco picked up the win over the Angels after allowing just two earned runs over 5.1 innings of work.
Blue Jays Trying To Make Push In Loaded AL East
If the Blue Jays were in the AL Central, they would be in first by about three games. Instead, in a loaded AL East, they sit fourth, 9.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays. Trying to make a push in the division, they will look to pick up the win on Wednesday at the Rogers Centre, where they are 16-11 this season.
On the mound for the Blue Jays will be 34-year-old veteran Chris Bassitt. The righty is 6-4 in 12 games with a 3.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and he has 65 strikeouts in 74 innings. Bassitt pitched 7.2 scoreless innings in his last outing, a win over the Mets.
At the plate, the Blue Jays rank 11th overall, averaging 4.66 runs per game. Leading their offense is shortstop Bo Bichette, who is hitting .332/.366/.528 with a team-leading 13 home runs, 41 runs batted in, and 35 runs scored.
Daulton Varsho (11 HR, 26 RBI), Vladimir Guerrero Jr (9 HR, 38 RBI), and George Springer (9 HR, 25 RBI, 10 SB) are also having nice campaigns thus far.
Take The Blue Jays To Win At Home
The Astros come into this one 14-6 in their last 20 games overall and 4-1 in their last five road games. They are also 15-5 in their last 20 games against American League teams.
For the Blue Jays, they are 5-1 in their last six games, although they are just 4-8 in their last 12 home games.
Despite their recent woes at home, the Blue Jays have the upper hand in this one. While Ronel Blanco had a nice outing his last time out, he was recently plugged in to move to a six-man rotation, bringing in significant questions about his consistency from start to start.
With so many questions, the best bet is on the Blue Jays at home in this one. Take Toronto straight up at -156.
