The Houston Astros are prepping to face the Toronto Blue Jays once again, this time in a Canada Day afternoon clash at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Astros, with a current record of 42-41, will look to improve their position further against the Blue Jays, who sit at 38-45.
Season Performance
The Astros have had a mixed season thus far, highlighted by their earlier success against Toronto in April, where they took two out of three games. When facing the American League East, Houston has managed a 6-7 record, showing they can hold their own but still have room for improvement.
Friday's game presents an opportunity for the Astros to tighten their gameplay and secure a pivotal win. Hunter Brown will be taking the mound for Houston. Brown holds a 5-5 record and a 4.37 ERA, offering a stable presence though not without flaws. However, the betting odds are in favor of Houston, who are listed at -142.
Blue Jays' Challenges
On the other side, the Blue Jays conclude June with an 11-16 record. Their overall performance this season has been inconsistent. They have posted a 5-4 record against teams from the AL West, demonstrating some success against that division.
Yariel Rodriguez will start for the Blue Jays. Rodriguez has struggled this season, with an 0-2 record and a 5.94 ERA. However, his potential was evident in his best outing back in April during a game against the San Diego Padres, where he pitched four solid innings, giving up just one earned run and striking out seven.
Key Players to Watch
Yordan Alvarez continues to be a standout for the Astros, batting .294 with 19 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, and 41 RBIs over 80 games. Alvarez’s recent form is promising, as he has recorded hits in four out of his last five games, with four multi-hit games in his last ten outings.
Mauricio Dubon also brings consistency to the Astros lineup. Dubon, batting .293, has contributed 15 doubles, three home runs, and 29 RBIs in 68 games. He has hit successfully in each of the last four games and eight of the last ten, underlining his reliable form.
For the Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains a key offensive player. With a batting average of .297, Guerrero has racked up 17 doubles, 13 home runs, and 50 RBIs over 83 games. His recent performance against the New York Yankees was particularly noteworthy, going 8-for-17 with two doubles, three home runs, and ten RBIs over the four-game series. In one game, he went 3-for-5, featuring a double, a home run, and six RBIs.
Team Averages and Statistics
Comparing team batting averages, the Astros lead the league with a .264 average, reflecting their strong offensive capabilities. In contrast, the Blue Jays hold a .236 average, placing them 20th in the MLB. This disparity could be a determining factor in the upcoming clash.
Both teams' effectiveness against right-handed pitchers will also come into play, as the Astros have a 31-26 record, while the Blue Jays have struggled more in this area, posting a 31-36 record.
With the game scheduled to start at 3:07 p.m. ET, fans on both sides will be looking forward to an exciting matchup, potentially pivotal for both teams as they strive to navigate the remainder of their seasons successfully.