The Toronto Blue Jays (16-14) visit Space City Friday for the first game of a three-game set with the host Houston Astros (16-15) at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Toronto won back-to-back games against the Oakland Athletics to split their four-game series after sweeping the Atlanta Braves 3-0 last weekend.
Houston prevented a three-game sweep from the New York Yankees by beating them 7-4 Thursday thanks to an eigth inning 2-run home run from birthday boy 2B Jose Altuve. The Astros are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have won three of their last four series.
RHP Ross Stripling gets the start for the Blue Jays. He is 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA (12 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.74 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 over 3 starts.
- Last outing: No-decision with 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB and 4 K in Toronto’s 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves Sunday.
RHP José Urquidy is the projected starter for the Astros. He is 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA (34 IP, 14 ER), 1.15 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 across 6 starts.
- Last outing: Win in 7 IP with 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB and 5 K at the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday.
MLB betting offers/promotions
BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.
- Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
- RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!
Blue Jays at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blue Jays +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Astros -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blue Jays +1.5 (-160) | Astros -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under: 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Astros 9, Blue Jays 7
Money line (ML)
Neither starting pitcher inspires a lot of confidence in this matchup, but Houston does have a leg up and a more productive lineup that will be excited after stealing Game 3 of the prior series against the Yankees.
I think this will be a slugfest, so I only “LEAN” to the ASTROS (-145) for a quarter unit if at all.
FANTASY BASEBALL: Serious about winning your league? Sign up for BaseballHQ.com to dominate the competition. Subscribe now!
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
PASS because I don’t have a strong enough opinion on either side to eat the vig with Blue Jays +1.5 (-160) or chase with the Astros -1.5 (+135).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET the OVER 9 (-110) for 1 unit. First, the weather forecast is predicting 10 mph winds blowing out to centerfield and each lineup has multiple guys who can go yard.
Also, both starting pitchers have a basic pitch arsenal (four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup), low spin rates, and don’t force a lot of ground balls. I like one or both of these lineups to smack around the other team’s starter.
Urquidy’s Statcast numbers indicate he has been pretty average this season while Stripling’s Statcast numbers are terrible. Stripling’s three opponents this season (Yankees, Los Angeles Angeles and Braves) have top-tier lineups.
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]