Toronto Blue Jays vs Houston Astros Prediction MLB Picks 4/1/24

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Toronto Blue Jays

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Houston Astros

• Recent betting trends in games played between the Blue Jays and Astros

• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Blue Jays vs Astros game

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

In their first series of the year, the Blue Jays took on Tampa Bay. Toronto won 8-2 in the opener, then fell 8-2 and 5-1 in the next pair. On Sunday in the finale, the Blue Jays posted three runs in the fifth on the way to a blowout win 9-2. Justin Turner finished with a homer, three hits, two runs and four RBI. Kevin Gausman logged 4.1 innings in the start with two hits and one earned.

As starter for the Monday opener, the Blue Jays will send out Bowden Francis. This will be Francis’ first career MLB start. Last year he went 1-0 with a 1.73 ERA in 20 games, notching 35 Ks in 36.1 innings along the way.

Houston Astros Betting Preview

Over on the Astros’ side, they had some issues with the Yankees this past weekend. Houston lost the first three games of that opening series 5-4, 7-1 and 5-3. In the Sunday matchup the Astros had the game tied in the ninth but eventually lost again 4-3 for the sweep. Jose Altuve plated two runs and hit a solo homer in the defeat.

It’ll be Ronel Blanco in the starting role for the Blue Jays on Monday. Last year Blanco went 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 17 games (seven starts). Blanco struck out 52 batters in 52.0 innings. In his career over 24 games (seven starts), Blanco is 2-1 with a 4.78 ERA. The Astros will take on the Rangers after this series.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Jose Altuve has hit a home run in four of the Astros' last nine games against AL opponents.
• Alex Bregman has recorded an RBI in three of the Astros' last four games as favorites against the Blue Jays.
• Alex Bregman has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Astros' last four games as favorites against the Blue Jays.
• Jose Altuve has scored at least one run in six of his last seven home appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.
• Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros' last nine games against AL opponents.
• Chas McCormick has recorded a Single in seven of his last eight home appearances.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• George Springer has scored at least one run in eight of the Blue Jays' last nine night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Blue Jays' last 10 night games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded at least one total base in each of the Blue Jays' last 10 night games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• George Springer has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays' last five night games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa has recorded at least one Single in each of his last eight appearances with his team as a road underdog against the Astros.
• Justin Turner has recorded at least one RBI in eight of his last nine appearances with his team as an underdog against AL West opponents.

Blue Jays vs Astros Prediction

I’ll stay with Houston in this one. The Astros were the victims of some opportunistic hitting by the Yankees over the weekend, especially in the first and third games of that series. In the Sunday finale Houston had some legitimate scoring chances they missed out on, and it cost them another close game. For the most part, Houston didn’t play terribly over the weekend but they certainly need some tightening up within the pitching staff.

As for Toronto, they played a fairly uneven series against Tampa Bay, with 17 combined runs in two games and three combined in the other pair. The Blue Jays shouldn’t have too many issues keeping pace in this one if all goes well, but I like Houston to finally get a W here.