The Toronto Blue Jays continue their road trip heading to Houston to take on the Astros. The Blue Jays are coming off a series split against the Tampa Bay Rays while the Astros are coming off being swept by the New York Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays (2-2) vs. Houston Astros (0-4)
Game 1:
Date: Monday, April 1
Time: 8:10 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Game 2:
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 8:10 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Game 3:
Date: Wednesday, April 3
Time: 8:10 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Probable Starting Pitchers
Game 1: Bowden Fancis (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Ronel Blanco (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Francis gets the ball to start the series, he made five starts this spring 2-1 with a 3.37 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. Last season he made 20 appearances going 1-0 with a 1.73 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in 36.1 innings. He has never faced the Astros in his career. Blanco gets the ball for the Astros to start the series and this spring he made five starts going 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.64 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. Last season he made 17appearances with seven coming as starts going 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP, and 52strikeouts in 52 innings. He has appeared in two games against the Blue Jays in his career with one coming as a start going 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings.
Game 2: Jose Berrios (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Framber Valdez (0-0, 5.79 ERA)
Berrios gets the middle game making his second start of the season after getting the start on Opening Day, in that game he went six innings giving up two runs on six hits; he walked one and struck out six. In his career against the Astros, he is 5-4 in nine starting with a 4.24 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 46.2 innings. Valdez gets the ball for the Astros also making his second start after starting Opening Day when he went 4.2 innings giving up three runs on five hits; he walked six and struck out five. In his career against Toronto, he is 1-3 in four starts with a 5.48 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 23 innings.
Game 3: Chris Bassitt (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Christian Javier (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Bassitt is making his second start of the season, in his last outing against the Rays he went five innings giving up five runs, four earned on six hits; he walked two, and struck out six. In his career against Houston, he has made 13 appearances with 12 of those coming as starts going 5-3 with a 3.72 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts in 75 innings. Javier gets the ball in the finale for Houston making his second start against the Yankees he went six innings and didn’t allow a run in four hits; he walked one and struck out six. Against the Blue Jays in his career, he has made two starts going 1-1 with a 5.23 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Leaders
Blue Jays:
AVG – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – .308
HR – George Springer – 2
RBI – Justin Turner – 4
IP – Jose Berrios – 6.0
ERA – Kevin Gausman – 2.008
K – Jose Berrios – 6
Astros:
AVG – Yainer Diaz – .500
HR – Jake Meyers – 1
RBI – Chas McCormick – 2
IP – Christian Javier – 6.0
ERA – Christian Javier – 0.00
K – Christian Javier – 6
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros Numbers
Blue Jays
AVG: .221 (22)
OPS: .704 (16)
R: 20 (10)
HR: 6 (4)
ERA: 4.24 (15)
K: 30 (13)
WHIP: 1.26 (13)
Astros
AVG: .259 (13)
OPS: .672 (19)
R: 11 (23)
HR: 2 (24)
ERA: 4.50 (17)
K: 42 (5)
WHIP: 1.64 (25)
Wrap Up
The Toronto Blue Jays were able to salvage a sweep against the Rays while the Astros are looking for their first win. The Blue Jays need to find a way to take this series against the Astros which would give them some leverage to start the season in the American League.
