The Toronto Blue Jays (2-2) take on the Houston Astros (0-4) Monday in the opener of a 3-Game set at Minute Maid Park at 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Blue Jays won 5-2 last year
The Jays won the opener and finale of their 4-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays. They took Sunday’s tilt 9-2 as 3B Justin Turner went 3-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBI. RHP Kevin Gausman went 4 1/3 IP, allowing a run and striking out 6. He dealt with shoulder soreness in the spring, and he was lifted after 69 pitches as he ramps it back up.
Raise your hand if you had the Astros starting the season 0-4 … I’ll wait. Indeed, the New York Yankees completed a 4-game sweep with a 4-3 win Sunday. Closer Josh Hader entered a tied game in the 9th for the 3rd time in 4 games and got touched up for the go-ahead run on 2 hits. He had thrown 2 hitless innings with 5 K’s before that. The good news, though, is Houston lost 3 of those games by 1 run.
Blue Jays at Astros projected starters
RHP Bowden Francis vs. RHP Ronel Blanco
Francis went 1-0 with a 1.73 ERA in 20 relief outings last year. He had a 0.83 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 36 1/3 IP.
- 2023 road stats: 0-0, 2.19 ERA (12 1/3 IP, 3 ER), 0.89 WHIP, 14 K in 8 relief appearances
- Fist time facing Toronto
- Utilizes 3 pitches: Four-seam fastball (94.4 mph), Curveball and slider; opponents hit just .197 off his fastball last year
Blanco went 2-1 over 7 starts and 10 relief appearances last year. He had a 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 52 IP.
- 2023 as a starter: 2-1, 4.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 35 K in 38 IP
- 2023 home stats: 1-1, 4.03 ERA (29 IP, 13 ER), 1.55 WHIP, 33 K in 4 starts and 6 relief appearances
- 1 start vs. Toronto: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 K
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!
Blue Jays at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:52 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Astros -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays +1.5 (-165) | Astros -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Blue Jays at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Blue Jays 5
Moneyline
I’m not a fan of the price, but the books share my sentiment that the Astros aren’t opening the season 0-5. They took 2 of 3 at home against Toronto last year, and they outscored them 19-7 in the process.
Take the ASTROS -145.
Run line/Against the spread
I’m going to take the Jays here. Because while I don’t believe the Astros are going 0-5, they burned their closer Sunday and could have some trouble closing out the game. The pitching matchup also presents an opening for Toronto.
Take the BLUE JAYS +1.5 (-165).
Over/Under
Houston scored just 11 runs in 4 games. The Blue Jays were feast or famine against Tampa, scoring 17 in their 2 wins and 3 in their 2 losses. What puts this over the top for me, though, is the unknowns on the mound, and there’s projected to be a 15-mph gust blowing straight out.
LEAN OVER 9 (-115).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
