Blue Jays host the Astros to open 4-game series

Houston Astros (42-41, second in the AL West) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (38-45, fifth in the AL East)

Toronto; Monday, 3:07 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Hunter Brown (5-5, 4.37 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 89 strikeouts); Blue Jays: Yariel Rodriguez (0-2, 5.94 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -149, Blue Jays +126; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Blue Jays host the Houston Astros on Monday to start a four-game series.

Toronto has a 20-21 record in home games and a 38-45 record overall. The Blue Jays have gone 27-15 in games when they record eight or more hits.

Houston is 18-22 in road games and 42-41 overall. The Astros are 35-21 in games when they record eight or more hits.

The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has 13 home runs, 38 walks and 50 RBI while hitting .297 for the Blue Jays. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is 16-for-38 with a double, three home runs and four RBI over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jays: 3-7, .261 batting average, 5.86 ERA, outscored by 15 runs

Astros: 9-1, .315 batting average, 3.36 ERA, outscored opponents by 31 runs

INJURIES: Blue Jays: Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (elbow), Jordan Romano: 15-Day IL (elbow), Alek Manoah: 15-Day IL (elbow)

Astros: Jake Bloss: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Victor Caratini: 10-Day IL (hip), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Tucker: 10-Day IL (shin), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

The Associated Press