7:07 pm
April 29

Astros @ Blue Jays

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Astros (10-9)

@ Toronto Blue Jays (13-7)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Urquidy (HOU): 1-1; 5.52 ERA

Kikuchi (TOR) 0-1; 3.75 ERA

 

Current odds:

Houston Astros: (+105)

Toronto Blue Jays: (-125)

 

• The Toronto Blue Jays have yet to lose a series this season, but the visiting Houston Astros will be out to change that in a three-game set that opens Friday night. Houston needed Jeremy Pena’s 10th-inning homer on Sunday to salvage one win from a three-game home series against Toronto. The Astros went on to win three of four from the host Texas Rangers at Arlington, Texas, earning a 3-2 victory Thursday when Kyle Tucker hit a tiebreaking, pinch-hit homer in the eighth.

• The Blue Jays took three of four from the visiting Boston Red Sox, with Alek Manoah striking out seven in seven innings during a 1-0 victory on Thursday. The Blue Jays are 5-0-1 in their six series this season. They split a four-game set when they visited the New York Yankees from April 11-14.

• Toronto left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 3.75 ERA) will oppose Houston right-hander Jose Urquidy (1-1, 5.52 ERA) in the opener on Friday. Urquidy pitched 5 2/3 innings against Toronto on Saturday and allowed two runs, six hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings during a no-decision. He struck out three in a game the Blue Jays won 3-2. Urquidy is 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts against Toronto.

• Kikuchi did not factor in the decision on Sunday against Houston, allowing four runs (two earned), three hits and five walks while striking out four in 3 2/3 innings. In 12 career starts against Houston — the team has he faced more than any other in his career — he is 1-5 with a 5.93 ERA. Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did not play in the series finale against Boston on Thursday, a day after he fouled a ball off his right foot. He finished the Wednesday game, and X-rays were negative.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Toronto Blue Jays
Previous Pick
Next Pick