Two of the top favorites to make the 2023 Major League Baseball Playoffs are the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays. Last season, both clubs were on the baseball betting odds postseason board. Of course, Houston won the 2022 World Series. And the Astros are perennial playoff contenders. By contrast, the Blue Jays are in and out of the playoffs yearly. However, Toronto stepped it up payroll-wise. The Blue Jays are all-in toward winning the World Series. So far, both teams have frustrated gamblers with their inconsistency. Toronto hosts Houston Thursday in a potential playoff preview.
Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays MLB Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, June 8, 2023, 7:07 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario |
| TV Coverage: | MLB Network |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astros | -1½ (+145) | 8 (-115) | -104 |  |
| Blue Jays | +1½ (-170) | 8 (-105) | -106 | |
| ||||
Astros at Blue Jays SBG Betting Odds Analysis
In this situation, Houston will get a rare sports betting price break as the road team goes up against a quality host.
Houston Astros Team Overview
Overall, the Houston Astros are 35-23 straight up and 29-28-1 over/under the total. Houston is 2nd in the American League West Division standings. In the American League West Division race, Houston is three games behind the Rangers. Late on, the Astros have covered four out of their last five games. The Astros have exceeded the total in six of their previous eight matchups.
Houston has MLB metrics of 13th for runs production, 20th for OPS, and 18th for home runs. Additionally, Houston ranks 1st for earned run average, 4th for WHIP, 6th for quality starts, and 4th for bullpen efficiency. Also, Houston ranks 4th for the fewest errors committed.
Accordingly, Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with 38 runs, 15 home runs, 51 RBI, a .391 on-base percentage, .578 slugging percentage, and .969 OPS.
Framber Valdez is the probable starting pitcher for Houston. In sum, Valdez has a record of 6-4 with a 2.16 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Top reliever Ryan Pressly has a record of 0-2 with 11 saves in 12 opportunities. His ERA is 3.33 with a 0.95 WHIP.
Toronto Blue Jays Team Overview
In sum, the Toronto Blue Jays are 32-27 straight up and 27-29-3 over/under the total. Toronto is 4th in the American League East Division standings. In the American League East Division race, Toronto is eight games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. Late on, the Blue Jays have covered six out of their last eight games. The Blue Jays have gone under the total in six of their previous eight matchups.
Toronto has MLB metrics of 12th for runs production, 8th for OPS, and 13th for home runs. Also, Toronto ranks 8th for earned run average, 12th for WHIP, 3rd for quality starts, and 9th for bullpen efficiency. Toronto ranks 18th for the fewest errors committed.
Overall, Bo Bichette leads the Blue Jays with 34 runs, 12 home runs, 39 RBI, a .371 on-base percentage, a .530 slugging percentage, and .901 OPS.
Jose Barrios is the probable starting pitcher for Toronto. In sum, Barrios has a record of 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. And then closer Jordan Romano has a record of 3-2 with 14 saves in 17 opportunities. His ERA is 3.13 with a 1.22 WHIP.
Astros at Blue Jays SBG Free Pick
As mentioned, the Astros will get a more favorable MLB odds price.
Astros at Blue Jays SBG Best Bet: Houston Astros.