The Houston Astros are poised to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays in what promises to be an intriguing Canada Day matinee at the Rogers Centre in Toronto this Monday. The contest is slated for a 3:07 p.m. ET start and adds another layer to the Astros' attempt to build on their 42-41 record.
Astros’ Strong Start
Having taken two of three from the Blue Jays back in April, the Astros come into this game with confidence. Their season has been somewhat inconsistent, as evidenced by their 6-7 record against American League East teams. However, don’t let these numbers fool you; this Houston squad boasts the highest team batting average in Major League Baseball at .264, reflecting their offensive prowess.
One of the standout performers for Houston has been Yordan Alvarez. Batting .294, Alvarez has collected 19 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, and 41 RBIs in 80 games. Recently, Alvarez has been in fine form, managing hits in four of his past five games and registering four multi-hit games in his last ten outings.
Mauricio Dubon has also delivered consistently. His .293 average, coupled with 15 doubles, three homers, and 29 RBIs over 68 games, proves he is a key contributor. Dubon has hit safely in each of the last four games and in eight of the last ten, solidifying his role in the Astros’ lineup.
Challenges for the Blue Jays
On the flip side, the Blue Jays have struggled throughout the season. With a 38-45 record, they finished June with an 11-16 mark. Their subpar performance is underscored by a team batting average of .236, ranking them 20th in MLB. This puts additional pressure on players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season. Guerrero boasts a .297 average with 17 doubles, 13 homers, 50 RBIs, and 40 runs scored over 83 games. His recent form should give the Blue Jays some hope; he went 8-for-17 with two doubles, three homers, and 10 RBIs in a four-game series against the New York Yankees.
Pitching Matchup
The pitching duel on Monday will see Hunter Brown taking the mound for Houston and Yariel Rodriguez for Toronto. Brown, holding a 5-5 record with a 4.37 ERA, will aim to maintain his form and capitalize on Toronto’s vulnerabilities. However, Houston’s 31-26 record against right-handed pitchers will be put to the test.
Yariel Rodriguez’s journey this season has been rocky, to say the least. With an 0-2 record and a 5.94 ERA, Rodriguez has struggled to find his rhythm. However, he did have a standout performance back in April against the San Diego Padres, where he worked four innings, gave up only three hits and one earned run, walked one, and struck out seven. Toronto will need him to summon that same calibre of pitching on Monday to contain the Astros.
Betting Odds and Final Thoughts
The Astros are favorites to win, with betting odds pinned at -142. This isn’t surprising given their overall record and offensive capabilities. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will need more than Guerrero’s fireworks to turn their season around and rise from their current slump.
As we approach the opening pitch, all eyes will be on how these individual matchups unfold. This game is more than a mid-season clash; it’s an opportunity for both teams to redefine their campaigns. Stay tuned to see which narratives prevail in this Canada Day showdown at Rogers Centre.