The Houston Astros (8-10) host the Toronto Blue Jays (11-7) on Wednesday for the finale of their 3-game set. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is 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: Tied 1-1
The Blue Jays edged out the Astros with a 4-2 win Tuesday, helped by homers from 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. and 3B Matt Chapman. RHP Chris Bassitt also threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Astros’ powerful lineup, striking out 5 batters. The win snapped a 2-game losing skid.
The Astros took the series opener against the Blue Jays in dominant fashion, winning 9-2. Houston has alternated wins and losses in its last 8 games, failing to push back above .500. The Astros rank 8th in runs scored (88) and 7th in team ERA (3.43).
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Blue Jays at Astros projected starters
RHP Jose Berrios vs. RHP Luis Garcia
Berrios (1-2, 7.98 ERA) makes his 4 start. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 through 14 2/3 IP.
- Finally got on track in his last start on Friday, allowing just 1 run in 5 innings with 6 K’s in a win over the Tampa Bay Rays
- Allowed 12 earned runs in 9 2/3 innings in his first 2 starts
- Has only walked 3 batters all season
Garcia (0-2, 7.71 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.86 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 through 14 IP.
- Has yet to go more than 5 innings in a start this season, allowing at least 3 runs in each outing so far
- Has walked 7 batters in 14 innings
- Has allowed 1 home run in each of his 3 starts
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 12:11 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Astros -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+145) | Astros +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Blue Jays at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Blue Jays 4
Moneyline
The Astros and Garcia are due for a better performance than what they’ve shown this season. The lineup is as good as any in MLB and they’re now going up against a pitcher in Berrios who has struggled in 2 of his 3 starts. The Blue Jays hurler has a 4.81 ERA and has given up 6 home runs in his 7 starts vs. the Astros in his career.
BET ASTROS (-105) to win outright at home.
Run line/Against the spread
The Astros are +1.5 on the run line, which is a good way to hedge a moneyline bet. However, at -175, there isn’t a lot of value in that line — even with Houston only needing to keep this one within 1 run.
However, the SPREADS: ASTROS -1.5 (+180) is a solid wager and worth consideration. All 8 of their wins this season have come by at least 2 runs and each of their last 6 wins has been by at least 4 runs.
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Over/Under
The total has gone Over in 6 of the Astros’ last 10 games, including 3 of the last 4. They rank 8th in total runs this season and the Blue Jays are tied for 10th, so both teams are putting runs on the board.
With a pair of struggling starters on the bump and 2 potent lineups, I like the OVER 9 (+100), especially at even money.
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