Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Preview
Where: Minute Maid Field, Houston, TX
When: Friday, August 4, 2017, 8:10 PM ET
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (+155) at Houston Astros (-175); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: SNET, TVA Sports, ATT SportsNet-SW
Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays (51-57)
After taking a day off from their 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays will make their first trip out to Houston this Friday for a three-game series against the seemingly weakened Astros.
Despite still ranking in the bottom third in the majors in almost every key offensive category, the Blue Jays have scored an average of 6.4 runs over their last seven games. Their resurgent firepower has also gotten them seven victories over the last 10 to stay in the thick of the AL East race.
First baseman Justin Smoak went 2-for-4 in the series finale against the White Sox to extend his hit streak to nine games and has four multi-hit games and nine RBIs during that span. Former AL MVP Josh Donaldson is on a tear as well, hitting a solo shot in Wednesday’s win for his fourth homer in six contests. Donaldson needs to provide the spark for Toronto this Friday against Houston’s probable starter Brad Peacock, as he’s tagged Peacock for six hits, a homer and two RBIs in 15 career at-bats.
Run production will definitely be key once more for the Jays, especially with Cesar Valdez (1-0, 6.59 ERA) taking the mound to open the three-game set. Valdez gave up seven runs in less than three innings of work the last time out, but the Dominican righty did throw six innings of one-run ball in his first and only other start for Toronto this season since coming from Oakland in mid-May.
Betting on the Houston Astros (69-39)
Denied of another shot at becoming the first 70-win team in the American League, the Houston Astros suffered their third consecutive loss on Thursday at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3. This was Houston’s first three-game losing streak since mid-June.
Still, the Astros remain tops in the majors in almost every major batting category such as runs scored, team batting average and on-base percentage. Their star players aren’t letting up just yet, either. MVP candidate Jose Altuve hit a solo shot in the third inning of Thursday’s loss for his 16th home run of the season, and Alex Bregman went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI to extend his hit streak to six games (10 total hits in that stretch).
Also tipping the scales in Houston’s favor this Friday is starter Brad Peacock (9-1, 2.62 ERA). Peacock only pitched in relief of Dallas Keuchel the last time he took the mound, giving up two earned runs and a homer against Detroit last Friday. Then again, the Astros have actually won seven-straight games with the 29-year-old righty seeing action.
Peacock will look to get some much-needed run support from his teammates again. Houston scored six or more runs in six of those seven aformentioned wins, including a 19-1 blowout of the Blue Jays on July 9.
Writer’s Prediction
The Astros (-175) snap their skid with a 5-4 victory.
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