The Houston Astros are gearing up to face the Toronto Blue Jays in a Canada Day showdown at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Monday. The Astros, carrying a 42-41 record, will be looking to build on their previous success against the Blue Jays, having taken two of three from them in their April series.
This season, the Astros have had mixed results against American League East teams, with a 6-7 record. On the other hand, the Blue Jays, who hold a 38-45 record, concluded June on a low note, going 11-16. Notably, they boast a slightly better record against AL West teams at 5-4.
Pitching Matchup
Houston will send Hunter Brown to the mound. Brown, sporting a 5-5 record and a 4.37 ERA, will be aiming to tilt the scales in favor of the Astros. The betting odds have marked Houston as favorites at -142, which reflects a positive outlook for the Astros.
On the Blue Jays' side, Yariel Rodriguez will be tasked with curbing the Astros' potent lineup. Rodriguez, with an 0-2 record and a 5.94 ERA, has had his fair share of struggles this season. However, his best performance came in a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in April, where he worked four innings, allowed just three hits and one earned run, with seven strikeouts.
Hot Hitters
Yordan Alvarez remains a crucial figure for the Astros, boasting a .294 batting average, 19 doubles, one triple, 16 homers, and 41 RBIs across 80 games. Alvarez has found consistency at the plate, registering hits in four of his last five games and achieving four multi-hit games over his last ten outings. Another key hitter, Mauricio Dubon, has maintained a .293 average, with 15 doubles, three homers, and 29 RBIs over 68 games. Dubon has hit safely in each of the last four games and in eight of the last ten.
For the Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to be a dominant force. He's batting .297 with 17 doubles, 13 homers, 50 RBIs, and 40 runs scored over 83 games. Guerrero was particularly impressive in a recent series against the New York Yankees, going 8-for-17 (.471) with two doubles, three homers, and 10 RBIs, including a standout performance where he went 3-for-5 with a double, home run, and six RBIs in a single game.
Team Performance
Statistically, Houston's team batting average leads the MLB at .264, which underscores their offensive prowess. In contrast, Toronto's team batting average stands at .236, ranking them 20th in MLB. This disparity in batting averages could play a pivotal role in the upcoming game.
Additionally, the Astros have a 31-26 record against right-handed pitchers, which might work to their advantage as Rodriguez, a right-hander, takes the mound for Toronto. Conversely, the Blue Jays have struggled more against right-handed pitchers, holding a 31-36 record, which could be an area of concern for them against Brown.
As the scheduled 3:07 p.m. ET first pitch approaches, both teams will be eager to claim a victory and shift their momentum moving into the latter parts of the season. With high-stakes performances anticipated from both lineups and starters, this matchup promises to be an intriguing contest for fans and analysts alike.