In the last of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (66-51) and the Houston Astros (61-56) at the Rogers Centre, Marcus Stroman (8-5, 4.76 ERA) and Mike Fiers (8-5, 4.46 ERA) get the start. The Blue Jays won the last game 4-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 1:07 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 14 and will air on RTSW and RSN.
In his last start, Stroman pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 7-1 loss to the Royals. Edwin Encarnacion (.268, 72 Rs, 32 HRs, 95 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run. The Astros were victorious over the Twins 7-5 the last time Fiers pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out five and walking two. Jose Altuve (.365, 86 Rs, 19 HRs, 73 RBIs, 26 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Astros, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a -148 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Blue Jays perform well as a favorite with a 54-34 record and have an overall money line of +six. The Blue Jays are a power hitting team with 166 home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Turning to the pitching staff, the Blue Jays don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking fifth in the league with a 1.218 WHIP.
Moving on to the away team, the Astros come into this game with a win percentage of .531 when playing as the underdog (17-15) and an overall money line of -874. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 1-3 record when playing as the underdog and a SU record of 5-5. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.7 strikeouts per game.
The Blue Jays have mostly come out on top against the Astros in their previous six games this season, earning a 4-2 record. This game will feature Fiers (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 50-33 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the right-hander Stroman. They sport a 43-36 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
The Blue Jays are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Astros have a record of 20-31 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 9-49. The Blue Jays have an 8-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 15th in home runs, Houston has hit 140 this season. Toronto ranks second with 166 home runs.
Toronto and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Toronto sits at 13th with 8.40 hits per game and Houston ranks 11th with 8.47.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.738). Toronto ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .759.
The Astros are 38-35 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 38-39 when they allow at least one homer.
