Series 28 (of 52) Preview: Astros visit Toronto

The Houston Astros travel north to Toronto to play four games against the only Canadian team, the Blue Jays.

The Astros and Blue Jays haven’t played each other for very long. Toronto is Houston’s opponent with the fewest games, having played just 75 times. Houston leads the series 41-34 without having played any postseason games.

The last time Houston and Toronto faced each other was April 1-3 this season. Houston took two of three games and outscored the Bluebirds by a combined score of 19-2. In the series finale, Cristian Javier (1-0, 0.00) worked five walks but allowed just one hit and struck out three in five scoreless innings. The quartet of Seth Martinez, Rafael Montero, Tayler Scott and Dylan Coleman each pitched a hitless inning, worked two walks and struck out four total. On offense, Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs (1, 2), and both Jose Altuve (3) and Jeremy Peña (2) also hit a home run in Houston’s 8-0 victory. Alvarez totaled four hits and added a single and a double to the scoresheet. Kyle Tucker, Yainer Díaz, Chas McCormick and Peña also each had multiple hits.

That’s what makes him a challenge. He doesn’t really have a weakness other than a four-seam up. I don’t even consider that a weakness, but I don’t have a four-seam. It’s tough. — opposing starter Chris Bassitt

The Astros just won a three-game series against the New York Mets. After losing the first game, Houston took the final two games of the series to climb above .500 for the first time in 2024. In the finale, Houston needed 11 innings to win, 10-5. Tayler Scott (4-2. 1.49) got the win as a relief pitcher. Houston had three more hits than New York, 15 to five for the Mets. Yainer Diaz and Jon Singleton each had three hits, including Singleton’s sixth home run of the season. Jose Altuve was ejected for ejection reasons, but not for good ones.

I know we were down, but we weren’t down. And I’m not surprised we’re where we are now. We’re going to keep fighting to get to where I know this team is going to get to. — Joe Espada

Toronto just lost two of three games against the New York Yankees, including an 8-1 loss in yesterday’s game. The Jays collected just four hits, while starter Kevin Gausman (6-7, 4.75) scored seven runs in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings.

Obviously we are not playing at the level we would like to, but there is nothing we can do except keep competing. — Gausman

Starting pitchers and playing times

Monday, 2:07 p.m. CT: Hunter Brown (5-5, 4.37) vs. Yariel Rodríguez (0-2, 5.94)
Tuesday, 6:07 p.m. CT: Spencer Arrighetti (4-6, 5.68) vs. José Berríos (7-6, 3.38)
Wednesday, 6:07 p.m. CT: Ronel Blanco (8-3, 2.49) vs. TBD
Thursday, 12:07 CT: Framber Valdez (7-6, 3.24) vs. Chris Bassitt (7-6, 3.24)