The Houston Astros take on the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in Major League Baseball action. Tonight's game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Currently the odds for the game have Toronto as a heavy favorite to get the win.
Houston started the season out hot, but they've stumbled recently and now are 3-5 on the year. Last night's loss to Toronto was the first road game of the year for the Astros and they lost, 5-2, as Mark Buehrle earned his second win of the season. Buehrle struck out three and scattered eight hits during 5 1/3 innings of work.
In tonight's game, Toronto will be looking to score some runs and work on improving their offense. Toronto ranks just 22nd in the league in runs scored at 27 and just 28th in batting average, clubbing a .212 average as a team. The team's on base percentage is only 26th best in the Majors at .286 this season.
The Astros have struggled a bit offensively. They're scored only 14 runs and hit just .197 in their last six games overall, scoring just two runs or less in five of those games.
Brandon Morrow gets the start tonight for the Jays. He lost in his opening start of the season, 7-2, to Tampa Bay last week. Morrow threw five innings, scattering seven hits and allowing four runs in his time on the hill. Morrow last season was shut down early, making his last start on May 28 before having a nerve proglem in his throwing arm that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Morrow has only one start against Houston in his career — he gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings of work, but earned a no decision in the contest.
Lucas Harrell is getting the rock tonight for Houston. Last year he lost 17 games and got beat up in his opening start of the season as well, allowing five runs, seven hits and walking three in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Last year he walked 88 batters in his 153 innings of work. Not good for the Astros and their bullpen tonight. That bullpen, in six games, has given up a 7.29 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .308 against them the last six games overall.
If the Blue Jays can have a decent day at the plate, they're going to win tonight. Houston struggles on the mound and we expect the same type of game in this one tonight. The bullpen has been overworked and Harrell has not been good. Toronto has had their problems at the plate this year, but taking on the Astros might get them going.
Free Pick: Toronto 6, Houston 3
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