MLB Predictions: Are the Astros worth a play vs. Blue Jays? 7/6/17
Are the Astros worth a play for bettors tonight in Toronto when they take on the Blue Jays at 7:07PM ET?
The Matchup: Astros vs. Blue Jays, 7:07PM ET, Rogers Centre
Houston has won eight of its last 10 games, including back-to-back wins against Atlanta over the last two nights. The Astros have also won four straight to get to 58-27 on the year. They also own an incredible road record at 31-9.
Toronto, meanwhile, is 39-45 on the year and 20-22 at home. The Blue Jays have lost six of their last 10 games to drop to fifth place in the AL East. This has led to speculation that the club will be sellers at the end of the month.
According to oddsmakers, the Astros are -160 money line favorites to win tonight in Toronto. That makes the Blue Jays +145 money line underdogs to pull off the upset. The total, meanwhile, sits at 9 runs.
The Pitching Matchup: Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU) vs. Francisco Liriano (TOR)
McCullers Jr. is 7-1 on the year and owns a 2.69 ERA over 87 innings of work. He earned a no-decision in a 13-4 loss to the Yankees last week. McCullers pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He also struck out six and walked two.
As for Liriano, he’s 4-4 on the year and owns a 5.66 ERA over 62 innings this season. He took the loss in a 7-1 defeat against the Red Sox last weekend. The veteran allowed five runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out four and walked three in the loss.
Our Prediction
Despite losing last week in blowout fashion to the Yankees, Houston has been a great bet when McCullers takes the hill. The Astros are 7-1 in his last eight starts and are 5-0 in his last five road outings. On the other side, the Blue Jays are 0-4 in their last four home games and are 2-5 in their last seven games overall.
Thursday MLB Prediction: Houston Astros -160
